Effect of Transatlantic Troop Deployment on Physical Work Capacity and Work Performance.
Abstract
Eighty-one soldiers of the 7th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX were studied for possible effects due to transatlantic deployment to Germany. The objective was to determine whether stresses of translocation across six time zones affected physical work performance and to separate out, in so far as possible, the causal factors of physiological work capacity and motivation or willingness to work. The anticipated symptoms of lassitude occurred in a majority of soliders and persisted in some throughout the five days of evaluation in Germany. Aerobic work capacity was unaffected. Anaerobic capacity (muscular endurance) was decremented in the arms and possibly the leg muscles. Maximal isometric muscle strength was unafffected but dynamic strength was significantly reduced in arm muscles. Despite these alterations in symptoms, strength, and muscular endurance, work task performance was unaltered by translocation. It was concluded that neither motivation nor physiological work capacity were impaired sufficiently so as to affect overall work ability during the first five days after deployment to Germany. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA072257
Entities
People
- James A. Vogel
- James B. Sampson
- James E. Wright
- John F. Patton
- Joseph J Knapik
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine