Smoking and Soldier Performance: A Literature Review
Abstract
Research was reviewed on smoking as it relates to soldier performance for the US Army Medical Research and Development Command. This literature review resulted from an unsolicited proposal submitted by Research Solutions, Incorporated, in response to the Broad Agency Announcement of the Command. Research on smoking and other nicotine effects was included in the review. The research reviewed was related to position disclosure in combat; the effects of smoking on physical work capacity and endurance; the effects of smoking on perceptual processes; the effects of smoking on arousal and ability to deal with stress, pain, and fear; smoking-induced hormonal changes; the effects of tobacco deprivation; smoking-disease relationships and their effects on productivity and absenteeism; smoking and abuse of other substances, delinquency, and accidents; and associations between smoking and other factors of potential relevance to soldier performance. Among the main findings, the review disclosed detrimental effects of smoking on physical performance of soldiers, particularly soldiers with several years of tobacco exposure. The review also identified nicotine- related improved performance on vigilance and rapid information processing tasks, including tasks that may be relevant to some soldier tasks. It also showed a constellation of negative behaviors that are correlated with smoking such as drug abuse, delinquency, and driving accidents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA221504
Entities
People
- Frederick N. Dyer