Scientific Programme
Applied Sports Sciences
IS-AP03 - Optimising the Warfighter: Applying Sport Science in the Military Context.
Date: 03.07.2025, Time: 10:00 - 11:15, Session Room: Tempio 1
Description
The proposed invited symposium will aim to explore how sport science can be applied to enhance the occupational task performance of military personnel. To provide context the first session will consider the demands of the contemporary military operational environment and will argue that the adoption of a conceptual Human Performance Optimisation (HPO) framework is vital to enhance warfighter operational readiness. Following this, the second session will discuss evidence-based strategies by which to modernize the training of women for ground close combat roles. Finally, the third session will conclude with a discussion on what lessons have been learned as a result of 30 years of research on reducing musculoskeletal injuries during military basic training.
Chair(s)
Jonpaul Nevin
Buckinghamshire New University, Tactical Athlete Performance Centre (TAPC)
United Kingdom
Speaker A
Jonpaul Nevin
Buckinghamshire New University, Tactical Athlete Performance Centre (TAPC)
United Kingdom
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Human Performance Optimisation (HPO) for the Warfighter: A Key to Readiness?
The contemporary military operational environment places unique and intense physiological, psychological, and cognitive demands upon the modern warfighter which can negatively impact upon operational effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of this session will be to review the impact of these demands and to argue that a high level of physical readiness, psychological resilience, and cognitive capability developed under a conceptual Human Performance Optimisation (HPO) framework is essential to improve warfighter readiness and maintain operational performance.
Speaker B
Julie Greeves
Ministry of Defence, Army Health
United Kingdom
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Modernized Training for Women in Ground Close Combat Roles
Servicewomen experience similar increases in strength and aerobic fitness as men with training, but still perform less well on most performance measures due to lower baseline physical performance. Fewer women than men can reach the Physical Employment Standards for ground close combat roles after three months of periodised strength and aerobic training, suggesting different strategies may be required to maximise performance of both sexes. Therefore, this session will aim to discuss potential training strategies by which to optimally prepare woman for ground close combat roles.
Speaker C
Karl Friedl
U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIUM), Futures Command
United Kingdom
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Research on the Reduction of Musculoskeletal Injuries
A US Army report on training injuries “the hidden epidemic” thirty years ago led to a intensive body of research which aimed to define and solve the problem. Leading the effort was a focus on bone stress injuries, a problem that was relatively unique to military training. As a result major programs investigating the pathogenesis of bone stress fracture were conducted in both the US and UK militaries. This session will review the findings from this body of work and will discuss how several practical interventions to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel have been applied. Part of this included simple changes/modernization of training programs as well as the need to address initial fitness of today’s youth and prospective recruits. The problems are largely understood and await implementation of a range of solutions.