Naval Special Warfare Injury Prevention and Human Performance Initiative

Abstract : Suboptimal physical readiness has been demonstrated to result from suboptimal biomechanical, musculoskeletal, and physiological characteristics and is further compounded with poor or inadequate nutrition. The lack of scientifically guided physical training significantly diminishes physical readiness and predisposes the Operator to a greater risk of musculoskeletal injury and impacts the tactical requirements necessary under extreme conditions. Physical conditioning and training remains the cornerstone of the weapons platform as an Operator. Progressive efforts have been made to integrate functional-specific activities into current physical conditioning and training to better meet the demands of combat. Although recent changes in physical conditioning and training have qualitatively provided favorable results, a scientific and systematic examination of training relative to tactical specificity is warranted.