Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effectiveness of Psycho-Physiological Portable Devices to Analyse Effect of Ergogenic Aids in Military Population

  • Education & Training
  • Published:
Journal of Medical Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Caffeine is one of the ergogenic substances most used by warfighters in current operation areas, but the effect on the organic response and operational performed is already poor knowledge. This research aimed to study the acute effect of 400 mg of caffeine monohydrate on the psycho-physiological response and rifle marksmanship of warfighters during a close quarter combat simulation. We analysed parameter of heart rate, blood lactate, cortical arousal, state anxiety and marksmanship of 20 Spanish Army veteran warfighters before and after a close quarter combat simulation in a double-blind procedure, also a correlation analysis was conducted between all the study variables. Marksmanship of warfighters did not improve with the caffeine ingestion, but it produced an increase in blood lactate concentration (caffeine: 1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 9.2 ± 1.1 mmol.l−1; placebo: 1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 6.9 ± 2.2 mmol.l−1), cortical arousal (% of change: caffeine: 2.51; placebo: −1.96) and heart rate (caffeine: 80.0 ± 7.2 vs. 172.9 ± 28.2 bpm; placebo: 79.3 ± 6.4 vs. 154.0 ± 26.8 bpm). In addition, higher heart rate values correlated negatively with marksmanship in close quarter combat. We concluded that caffeine intake did not improve the warfighters rifle marksmanship in close quarter combat possibly due to the increase in the physiological response.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Clemente-Suárez, V., and Robles-Pérez, J., Organic response in a combat simulation. Sanid Mil. 68(2):97–100, 2012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Clemente-Suárez, V., and Robles-Pérez, J., Psycho-physiological response in different combat situations. Editorial Académica Española: Saarbrücken, Deutschland, 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Marine Corps, U. S., Combat stress. Washington: Departament of the Navy, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tharion, W. J., Shukitt-Hale, B., and Lieberman, H., Caffeine effects on marksmanship during high-stress military training with 72 hour sleep deprivation. Aviat Space Environ Med. 74:309–314, 2003.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Johnson, R. F., and Merullo, D. J., Effects of caffeine and gender on vigilance and marksmanship. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. 40(23):1217–1221, 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Johnson RF, Merullo DJ. Friend-foe discrimination, caffeine, and sentry duty, Proceedings of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society 43rd Annual Meeting; Sep 27–Oct 1, Houston, TX. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 1999;1299–303.

  7. McLellan, T. M., Bell, D. G., and Kamimori, G. H., Caffeine improves physical performance during 24 h of active wakefulness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 75:666–672, 2004.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. McLellan, T. M., Kamimori, G. H., Bell, D. G., Smith, I. F., Johnson, D., and Belenky, G., Caffeine maintains vigilance and marksmanship in simulated urban operations with sleep deprivation. Aviat Space Environ Med. 76:39–45, 2005.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gillingham, R. L., Keefe, A. A., and Tikuisis, P., Acute caffeine intake before and after fatiguing exercise improves target shooting engagement time. Aviat Space Environ Med. 75(10):865–871, 2004.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gillingham, R. L., Keefe, A. A., and Tikuisis, P., Effects of caffeine on target detection and rifle marksmanship. Ergonomics. 46(15):1513–1530, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Clemente-Suárez, V., and Robles-Pérez, J., Psycho-physiological response of warfighters in urban combat. Ann Psychol. 29(2):598–603, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0749-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Clemente-Suarez, V. J., and Robles-Pérez, J. J., Acute effects of caffeine supplementation on cortical arousal, anxiety, physiological response and marksmanship in close quarter combat. Ergonomics. 58(11):1–9, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1036790.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Clemente-Suárez, V., and Mechanical, R.-P. J., Physical and physiological analysis of symmetrical and asymmetrical combat. J Strength Cond Res. 27(9):2420–2426, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31828055e9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Robles-Pérez, J. J., and Montañez-Toledo, P., Respuesta psicofisiológica en un salto táctico paracaidista a gran altitud. A propósito de un caso. Arch Med Deporte. 32(3):144–148, 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Saito S., Does fatigue exist in a quantitative measurement of eye movements? Ergonomics. 1992;35: 607–15, 5-6.

  16. Tanaka, H., Monahan, K. D., and Seals, D. R., Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited. J Am Col Cardiol. 37(1):153–156, 2001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Andrade, E. M., Lois, G., and Arce, C., 2007. Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the revised competitive state anxiety inventory-2 with athletes. Psicothema. 19(1):150–155, 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bell, D. G., Jacobs, I., McLellan, T. M., and Zamecnik, J., Reducing the dose of combined caffeine and ephedrine preserves the ergogenic effect. Aviat Space Environ Med. 71:415–419, 2000.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Grossman, D. C., On combat: The psychology and physiology of deadly conflict in war and in peace. Belleville, IL: PPCT Research Publications, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Lorist, M., and Tops, M., Caffeine, fatigue, and cognition. Brain Cogn 53(1):82–94, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Gallego P, Robles-Pérez JJ, Clemente Suárez VJ. Effect of combat stress in warfighter operative memory. Study case. 9° National Congress of Defense Nursing. Madrid. 18/06/2014

  22. Clemente-Suárez, V. J., de la Vega, R., Robles-Pérez, J. J., Lautenschlaeger, M., and Fernández-Lucas, J., Experience modulates the psychophysiological response of airborne warfighters during a tactical combat parachute jump. Int J Psychophysiol. 110:212–216, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.07.502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Martínez, M., Breeze rate and heart rate of archer in shooting position. Apunts. 20:53–60, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Byung-Hyun, K., Dong-Sung, S., Byung-Ki, L., and Han-Kyu, L., The optimal arousal level of the archery performance. Korean. J Sport Sci. 1:41–50, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Nibbeling, N., Oudejans, R. R., Cañal-Bruland, R., van der Wurff, P., and Daanen, H. A., Pursue or shoot? Effects of exercise-induced fatigue on the transition from running to rifle shooting in a pursuit task. Ergonomics. 56(12):1877–1888, 2013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Schachter, S., and Singer, J., Cognitive, social, and physiological determinants of emotional state. Psychol Rev. 69(5):379–399, 1962.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Clemente-Suárez, V., The application of cortical arousal assessment to control neuromuscular fatigue during strength training. J Mot Behav. 49(4):429–434, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2016.1241741.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Robles-Pérez, J. J., and Fernández-Lucas, J., Psycho-physiological response in an automatic parachute jump. J Sports Sci. 35(19):1872–1878, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1240878.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Tornero-Aguilera, J., Robles-Pérez, J. J., and Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Effect of combat stress in the psychophysiological response of elite and non-elite soldiers. J Med Syst. 41(6):100, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0748-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Sánchez-Molina, J., Robles-Pérez, J. J., and Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Effect of parachute jump in the psychophysiological response of soldiers in urban combat. J Med Syst. 41(6):99, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0749-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Delgado-Moreno, R., Robles-Pérez, J. J., and Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Combat stress decreases memory of warfighters in action. J Med Syst. 41(8):124, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0772-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Delgado-Moreno, R., González-Gómez, B., and Robles-Pérez, J. J., Respuesta psicofisiológica en un salto táctico paracaidista HAHO: caso de Estudio. Sanidad Mil 71(3):179–182, 2015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Diaz-Manzano, M., and Robles-Pérez, J. J., Use of minicameras to improve operative procedure in security forces. J Med Syst. 41(9):130, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0779-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Robles-Pérez, J. J., and Fernández-Lucas, J., Psychophysiological response in parachute jumps, the effect of experience and type of jump. Physiol Behav 179:178–183, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.06.006.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Sánchez-Molina, J., Robles-Pérez, J. J., and Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Respuesta fisiológica de una unidad paracaidista en combate urbano. Arch Med Deporte 34(3):66–70, 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Clemente-Suarez, V. J., Palomera, P. R., and Robles-Pérez, J. J., Psychophysiological response to acute-high-stress combat situations in professional soldiers. Stress Health, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2778.

  37. Clemente-Suarez, V. J., Robles-Pérez, J. J., Herrera-Mendoza, K., Herrera-Tapias, B., and Fernández-Lucas, J., Psychophysiological response and fine motor skills in high-altitude parachute jumps. High Alt Med Biol 18(4):392–399, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2017.0071.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Studies Centre in Applied Combat (CESCA), Toledo, Spain

    Montaña Diaz-Manzano, José Juan Robles-Pérez & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

  2. Applied Psychophysiological Research Group, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Montaña Diaz-Manzano & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

  3. Light Forces Head Quarter of the Spanish Army, Madrid, Spain

    José Juan Robles-Pérez

  4. Grupo de Investigación en Cultura, Educación y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia

    Ketty Herrera-Mendoza & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

  5. Grupo de Investigación en Derecho, Política y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia

    Beliña Herrera-Tapias

  6. Applied Biotechnology Group, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Jesús Fernández-Lucas

  7. Grupo de Investigación en Desarrollo Agroindustrial Sostenible, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia

    Jesús Fernández-Lucas

  8. PAFS Research Group, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain

    Susana Aznar-Lain

  9. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Sport Science, Calle Tajo, s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain

    Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

Authors
  1. Montaña Diaz-Manzano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José Juan Robles-Pérez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ketty Herrera-Mendoza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Beliña Herrera-Tapias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jesús Fernández-Lucas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Susana Aznar-Lain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

None.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Education & Training

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Diaz-Manzano, M., Robles-Pérez, J.J., Herrera-Mendoza, K. et al. Effectiveness of Psycho-Physiological Portable Devices to Analyse Effect of Ergogenic Aids in Military Population. J Med Syst 42, 84 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-0945-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-0945-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation