Page 99 - JSOM Winter 2024

Surface Combat Swimming Performance and
Shooting Ability after Training With or Without Military Equipment

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Ioannis D. Kostoulas *, PhD; Stylianos N. Kounalakis , PhD;
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Argyris G. Toubekis , PhD; Anastasios Karagiannis , BSc; Antonios Kaniadakis , MSc;
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Konstantina Karatrantou , PhD; Vassilis Gerodimos , PhD
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ABSTRACT
Background: The present study examined the effect of a train- In this study, we sought to expand on these observations by
ing program with or without equipment on 1000-m surface exploring the effects of aquatic training with different gear on
combat swimming and shooting ability. Methods: The study long-distance performance and shooting ability. Our goal was
included 45 officer cadets who were randomly assigned to one to use a realistic operational distance, such as when recaptur-
of three groups: a control group (CG), a swimsuit and fins ing islets or securing a coast.
group (SF), and a combat uniform and equipment group (UE).
SF and UE followed a 60-min surface combat swimming (sCS) Methods
training program for 4 weeks. Before and after the training
program, all groups performed a 1000-m sCS trial and shoot- Participants
ing in a simulator. Results: SF and UE improved similarly in Forty-five male cadets at the Hellenic Army Academy, aged
1000-m sCS (134 [SD 115] s, for the SF group and 111 [SD 21 (SD 1) years, with a mean height of 178 ( SD 5) cm, body
57] s for the UE group, P<.01). Shooting ability was reduced weight of 78 (SD 7) kg, and body fat percentage of 17.5%
after the 1000-m sCS, before and after training. Conclusion: (SD 3.5%), completed the study. The inclusion criterion for the
The sCS training had a positive effect on the 1000-m sCS, study was the ability to complete the 300-m front crawl test
while it did not affect participants’ shooting ability. without fins in less than 7 minutes. This test is one criterion
required of prospective candidates applying to Special Forces
Keywords: training specificity; military activities; equipment; schools. The researchers explained the study and received
swimming style; shooting position written consent from participants. The ethics committee of the
University of Thessaly and the education board of the Hellenic
Army Academy approved the study.
Introduction
Experimental procedures
Combatants need to be physically fit to perform well. How- Participants were divided into three equal groups according
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ever, traditional training programs do not transfer well into to their 400-m freestyle swimming performance: one control
military activities. This is because military activities involve group (CG; n=15) and two experimental groups. The CG
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a diverse range of equipment and operations. Hence, in re- followed the military and academic training program of the
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cent years specialized training programs have been developed Academy. Besides the academic and military training, the ex-
on dry land to focus on specific movements and equipment perimental groups trained 60 minutes 4 times per week for 4
used by combatants. 1,5,6 The effectiveness of these programs is weeks, using sCS with swimsuit and fins (SF; n=15) or with a
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high, and many times, they require less training volume. 2,3 uniform and combat equipment (UE; n=15).
In aquatic operations, a specific swimming stroke called sur- Before and after the 4-week training period, body height, body
face combat swimming (sCS) is used to decrease body exposure weight, and body fat percentage were measured. In two more
to the enemy. Water is a common environment for combat, 9,10 sessions (days) before the initial tests, the participants prac-
but there are few training programs to improve combat perfor- ticed with sCS: (a) with a swimsuit, (b) with fins, and (c) with
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mance in this setting. We recently showed that after a 1000-m uniform and combat equipment. The gear included a full body
sCS, shooting ability was reduced by 3%–5% in both stand- uniform, combat boots, mask, short 3mm-thick diving suit
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ing and kneeling positions. In this study, the shooting abil- made of neoprene, special fins (twin jet fins by SCUBAPRO;
ity was affected, to a large extent, by the accumulated fatigue El Cajon, CA), combat vest with a load equal to the weight
after the 1000-m sCS. Therefore, it is likely that specialized of the personal ammunitions (approximately 5kg), and an
training may attenuate fatigue and improve shooting ability. M4A1 rifle. In the same two sessions, participants practiced
In this context, participants in a 4-week sCS training program with shooting equipment. Following the practice sessions, the
improved their short distance swimming performance by 4%– participants in the SF group were tested in 350-m sCS with
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8%. Researchers found that both the training program and fins and a swimsuit. In the same session, the participants in UE
equipment affected the soldiers’ performance. group were tested in 250-m sCS with a uniform and equipment.
*Correspondence to Ioannis D. Kostoulas, Hellenic Army Academy, Faculty of Physical and Cultural Education, Leoforos Eyelpidon (Varis –
Koropiou) Avenue, P.O. 16673, Vari, Athens, Greece or jkost@otenet.gr
1 Dr. Ioannis D. Kostoulas, Dr. Stylianos N. Kounalakis, Anastasios Karagiannis, and Antonios Kaniadakis are affiliated with the Hellenic Army
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Academy, Faculty of Physical and Cultural Education, Athens, Greece. Dr. Ioannis D. Kostoulas, Dr. Konstantina Karatrantou, and Dr. Vassilis
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Gerodimos are affiliated with the University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Trikala, Greece. Dr. Argyris G.
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Toubekis is affiliated with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Athens, Greece.
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