Can Physiological and Psychological Factors Predict Dropout from Intense 10-Day Winter Military Survival Training?

Jani P Vaara, Liisa Eränen, Tommi Ojanen, Kai Pihlainen, Tarja Nykänen, Kari Kallinen, Risto Heikkinen and Heikki Kyröläinen
Additional contact information
Jani P Vaara: Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, P.O. Box 7, 00861 Helsinki, Finland
Liisa Eränen: Finnish Defence Research Agency, Finnish Defence Forces, P.O. Box 5, 04401 Järvenpää, Finland
Tommi Ojanen: Finnish Defence Research Agency, Finnish Defence Forces, P.O. Box 5, 04401 Järvenpää, Finland
Kai Pihlainen: Personnel Division of Defence Command, P.O. Box 919, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
Tarja Nykänen: Army Academy, 53600 Lappeenranta, Finland
Kari Kallinen: Finnish Defence Research Agency, Finnish Defence Forces, P.O. Box 5, 04401 Järvenpää, Finland
Risto Heikkinen: Statistical Analysis Services, Analyysitoimisto Statisti Oy, 40720 Jyväskylä, Finland
Heikki Kyröläinen: Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, P.O. Box 7, 00861 Helsinki, Finland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: Background: In the military context, high levels of physiological and psychological stress together can compromise individual’s ability to complete given duty or mission and increase dropout rates. The purpose of this study was to investigate if baseline physical fitness, body composition, hormonal and psychological factors could predict dropout from a 10-day intense winter military survival training. Methods: 69 conscripts volunteered to participate in the study. Physical fitness (muscle strength and power, muscle endurance, and aerobic fitness), body composition and hormonal variables (BDNF, testosterone, cortisol, SHBG, DHEAS, IGF-1) together with self-reported psychological factors (short five personality, hardiness, sense of coherence, stress, depression) were assessed prior the survival training. Results: During the survival training, 20 conscripts (29%) dropped out. Baseline aerobic fitness (hazard ratio, HR: 0.997, 95% CI: 0.994–0.999, p = 0.006) and serum cortisol (HR: 1.0006, 95% CI: 1.001–1.011, p = 0.017) predicted dropout in Cox regression model. Each 10 m increase in the 12 min running test decreased the risk for dropout by 3%. Conclusion: Although most of the physiological and psychological variables at the baseline did not predict dropout during a short-term winter survival military training, baseline information of aerobic fitness and serum cortisol concentration may be useful to target support for individuals at higher potential risk for dropout.

Keywords: soldiers; attrition; physical fitness; winter; cold environment; resilience; combat readiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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