Physiological, biochemical, and psychological responses to environmental survival training in the Royal Australian Air Force

Chester, Annalise L., Edwards, Andrew M., Crowe, Melissa, and Quirk, Frances (2013) Physiological, biochemical, and psychological responses to environmental survival training in the Royal Australian Air Force. Military Medicine, 178 (7). e829-e835.

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Abstract

Military environmental survival training (EST) is designed and considered to evoke significant stressors to military personnel in preparation for combat-like scenarios. The aim of this study was to observe and report selected physiological, biochemical, psychological, and performance responses to this intense 15-day program of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) EST. Fourteen RAAF participants undertook the EST course. Physiological and psychological responses were collected across the 15 days across outcomes: (1) biochemical markers (blood lactate, interlukin-6, and creatine kinase), (2) performance and anthropometric indices (vertical jump, body mass), and (3) psychological questionnaires profile of mood states, depression anxiety stress scale, Kessler-10 etc.). Creatine kinase concentration increased significantly from baseline to day 5 (p < 0.05) and thereafter remained elevated for the remaining 10 days of EST (128%; p < 0.01). Vertical jump (−10%; p < 0.01) and body mass (−8%; p < 0.01) both decreased across 15 days of EST, while there were no significant change in interlukin-6. Negative psychological responses were observed for mood (p < 0.01), depression (p < 0.05), anxiety (p < 0.01), and stress (p < 0.01) following the EST course. This case study showed the RAAF EST course imposed significant physiological and psychological stress as observed from markers of muscle damage, deterioration in physical performance, substantial weight loss, negative mood, and psychological distress.

Item ID: 28031
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1930-613X
Date Deposited: 06 Sep 2013 03:58
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science > 110604 Sports Medicine @ 50%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science > 110602 Exercise Physiology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 81 DEFENCE > 810101 Air Force @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 50%
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