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Whitehurst LN, Morehouse A, Mednick SC. Can stimulants make you smarter, despite stealing your sleep? Trends Cogn Sci 2024; 28:702-713. [PMID: 38763802 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Nonmedical use of psychostimulants for cognitive enhancement is widespread and growing in neurotypical individuals, despite mixed scientific evidence of their effectiveness. Sleep benefits cognition, yet the interaction between stimulants, sleep, and cognition in neurotypical adults has received little attention. We propose that one effect of psychostimulants, namely decreased sleep, may play an important and unconsidered role in the effect of stimulants on cognition. We discuss the role of sleep in cognition, the alerting effects of stimulants in the context of sleep loss, and the conflicting findings of stimulants for complex cognitive processes. Finally, we hypothesize that sleep may be one unconsidered factor in the mythology of stimulants as cognitive enhancers and propose a methodological approach to systematically assess this relation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N Whitehurst
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, 40508.
| | - Allison Morehouse
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA, 92617
| | - Sara C Mednick
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA, 92617.
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Mullie P. Impact of a Special Operations Forces Basic Training on Body Composition and Energy Expenditure. Mil Med 2024; 189:e1588-e1592. [PMID: 38602455 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Belgian Special Operations Regiment undergoes an 8-week basic training course (SOF Basic Course) following the Military Initiation Phase. The aims of the present study were to estimate energy expenditure and changes in body composition during SOF Basic Course. MATERIALS AND METHODS A multi frequency body composition analyser assessed baseline and endpoint body composition. For the purpose of estimating energy expenditure, 41 participants were fitted with triaxial accelerometers. T-tests were performed on paired and unpaired samples in order to estimate statistical significance. Effect size was estimated with Cohen's d. RESULTS SOF Basic Course was completed by 88 out of 126 participants. The participants' mean (SD) age was 25.0 (4.1) years, weight was 77.6 (8.6) kg, and body fat percentage was 15.3% (3.3). Body weight of completers decreased from 78.3 (8.8) kg to 76.4 (8.0) kg (P = 0.01). Also, body fat decreased by 3.1 (1.8) kg (P = 0.01), and muscle mass increased by 1.2 (1.7) kg (P = 0.01). There was a decrease in body fat percentage from 15.3% (3.3) to 11.6% (3.4) (P = 0.01), with a Cohen's effect size of 1.86.The loss of 3.1 kg of body fat corresponds to a loss of 21,700.0 kcal (90.3 MJ) or 362.0 kcal.d-1 (1.5 MJ.d-1). The mean (SD) energy expenditure by physical activity was 1,943.0 (653.8) kcal.d-1 (14.6 [2.7] MJ.d-1). The average (SD) total energy expenditure was 4,088.0 (710.0) kcal.d-1 (36.8 [3.8] MJ.d-1). CONCLUSION Tactical athletes must perform in hypo-energetic environment. Research in the future should investigate the impact of increased energy intake on body composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Mullie
- DG H&WB, Queen Elisabeth Barracks, Belgian Defense, Evere 1140, Belgium
- Belgian Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Cochrane Belgium, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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Jones MV, Smith N, Walker L, Turner M, McCann A, Braithwaite E, Burns D, Emmerson P, Webster L, Jones M. Development of the ARENA training programme for resilient performance in defense and security settings. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37921638 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2268495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Defense and Security Personnel (DSP) often have to operate in the presence of stressful demands. Prior research has identified factors and processes associated with DSP being able to perform resiliently in demanding situations and settings. The aim of the present study was to develop a resilient performance training programme for UK defense and security operators. An intervention mapping (IM) method was used to guide the development of the programme. Typically, IM follows six sequential phases. In the present work, these phases were shaped by insights from prior research (e.g. systematic review and end user interviews), the input of a dedicated working group (N = 13) and from practitioner focus groups. During the IM process, the importance of programme flexibility was emphasized by practitioners. As such, the enAbling REsilieNt performAnce (ARENA) training programme was designed to be agile and include both face-to-face training and online learning modules. Theoretical behavior change principles, closely aligned to findings of earlier work on resilient defense and security performance, were used to underpin programme content and delivery. Future research should seek to gather data on the impact of the ARENA programme, in the targeted biological, psychological and social factors that previously been associated with resilient performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc V Jones
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Nathan Smith
- Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Lucy Walker
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Martin Turner
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew McCann
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Danielle Burns
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Leonie Webster
- Human Sciences Group, CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, UK
| | - Martin Jones
- Human Sciences Group, CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, UK
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Żuchowski P, Dura M, Jeka D, Waszczak-Jeka M. Comparison of Physical Fitness, Self-Assessed Resilience, and Self-Assessed Character Traits between Elite Polish Obstacle Course Racers and Polish Special Operations Force Personnel. Mil Med 2023; 188:e3547-e3552. [PMID: 37410871 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Some of the obstacle Course Race (OCR) competitions are co-organized by military units that are seeking candidates for service in special operations forces (SOFs). The aim of the study was to compare psycho-physical characteristics between Polish OCR athletes and SOF soldiers, in order to assess the possibility of recruiting future SOF soldiers from the OCR community. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 23 OCR competitors, and 17 soldiers from JW Formoza were used as the comparative group. The psychological measure of resilience was assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Participants also completed a survey in which they had to rank character strengths. Physical fitness was assessed on the basis of a 3000-m run and the maximum number of sit-ups and straight pull-ups. RESULTS There were significant differences between OCR participants and JW Formoza soldiers: body mass index, 24.1 ± 1.5 vs. 25.9 ± 1.9 (P = .002); 3000-m run, 11:59 ± 0:49 vs. 12:11 ± 0:28 (P = .024); and straight pull-ups, 19 ± 3 vs. 15 ± 3 (P = .001). The most commonly chosen character strengths in both groups were self-control, team worker, and optimism. CONCLUSIONS OCR competitors show psychophysical characteristics similar to those expected from actual SOF personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Żuchowski
- Clinic of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Jan Biziel University Hospital No 2, CM UMK in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz 85-168, Poland
| | - Marta Dura
- Department of Radiology, Jan Biziel University Hospital No 2, CM UMK in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz 85-168, Poland
| | - Daniel Jeka
- Nasz Lekarz Przychodnie Medyczne, Toruń 87-100, Poland
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Moret NE, Bennion LD. Personalised medicine: a healing application within comorbid PTSD and mTBI military patient sample with a particular focus on special operators. BMJ Mil Health 2023:e002356. [PMID: 37879649 DOI: 10.1136/military-2023-002356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Personalised medicine is replacing prototypical medical care. Personalised medicine focuses on enhancing patients' functioning and preventing future negative impacts of both medical disease and psychological disorders, and unfolds uniquely for each individual. The military special forces community is a group at higher risk for physical trauma, for example, traumatic brain injuries, as well as psychosocial stressors and traumas associated with combat, high operational tempos and sleep deprivation. From a system's cost-benefit perspective and resonating with community norms of resiliency, personalised medicine offers unique innovative treatments for special operators. In this article, we outline the successful applications of personalised medicine via the multidisciplinary treatment of special operators with comorbid conditions (primarily mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Moret
- Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - L D Bennion
- Medical Psychology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Van Puyvelde M, Gijbels D, Van Caelenberg T, Smith N, Bessone L, Buckle-Charlesworth S, Pattyn N. Living on the edge: How to prepare for it? FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2022; 3:1007774. [PMID: 38235444 PMCID: PMC10790891 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2022.1007774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments such as found at Antarctic, Arctic, and other remote research stations are considered space-analogs to study the long duration isolation aspects of operational space mission conditions. Methods We interviewed 24 sojourners that participated in different short/long duration missions in an Antarctic (Concordia, Halley VI, Rothera, Neumayer II) or non-Antarctic (e.g., MDRS, HI-SEAS) station or in polar treks, offering a unique insight based on first-hand information on the nature of demands by ICE-personnel at multiple levels of functioning. We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis to explore how sojourners were trained, prepared, how they experienced the ICE-impact in function of varieties in environment, provided trainings, station-culture, and type of mission. Results The ICE-environment shapes the impact of organizational, interpersonal, and individual working- and living systems, thus influencing the ICE-sojourners' functioning. Moreover, more specific training for operating in these settings would be beneficial. The identified pillars such as sensory deprivation, sleep, fatigue, group dynamics, displacement of negative emotions, gender-issues along with coping strategies such as positivity, salutogenic effects, job dedication and collectivistic thinking confirm previous literature. However, in this work, we applied a systemic perspective, assembling the multiple levels of functioning in ICE-environments. Discussion A systemic approach could serve as a guide to develop future preparatory ICE-training programs, including all the involved parties of the crew system (e.g., family, on-ground crew) with attention for the impact of organization- and station-related subcultures and the risk of unawareness about the impact of poor sleep, fatigue, and isolation on operational safety that may occur on location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Van Puyvelde
- Vital Signs and PERformance Monitoring (VIPER) Research Unit, Life Sciences (LIFE) Department, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
- Brain, Body and Cognition (BBC), Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Clinical and Lifespan Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daisy Gijbels
- Vital Signs and PERformance Monitoring (VIPER) Research Unit, Life Sciences (LIFE) Department, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Van Caelenberg
- Vital Signs and PERformance Monitoring (VIPER) Research Unit, Life Sciences (LIFE) Department, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
- Human Behavior and Performance Training, European Astronaut Centre, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nathan Smith
- Protective Security and Resilience Centre, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Loredana Bessone
- Human Behavior and Performance Training, European Astronaut Centre, Cologne, Germany
| | - Susan Buckle-Charlesworth
- Human Behavior and Performance Training, European Astronaut Centre, Cologne, Germany
- Oxford Human Performance, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie Pattyn
- Vital Signs and PERformance Monitoring (VIPER) Research Unit, Life Sciences (LIFE) Department, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
- Human Physiology and Human Performance Lab (MFYS-BLITS), Human Physiology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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