How to measure the impact of stress on elite military personnel
An innovative study analyzing the cognitive and emotional capacities of the Spanish Armed Forces under extreme conditions.
In a highly demanding physical and mental environment, the Spanish Armed Forces face constant challenges. How does extreme stress affect their cognitive and emotional performance? Discover how the use of Kopernica helped measure and analyze these effects, providing key insights to improve the preparation and performance of elite military personnel.
Specifications
- Target population: Individuals aged 18 or older belonging to the Spanish Armed Forces and residing in Spain.
- Sample size: The study was conducted with a total sample of 19 individuals.
- Field of study: The study was conducted in October 2022, in the Toledo area.
- Measurement tool: Kopernica, an advanced system to analyze cognitive and emotional responses in real time.
- Expected results: To identify how increased stress and negative emotions affect the cognitive responses and performance of soldiers under pressure.
Analysis of Cognitive Abilities under Extreme Stress
Impact of High Physical and Mental Demands
The test to which the soldiers were subjected demonstrated a significant decrease in their cognitive abilities. The results show:
- Reduction in focus capacity (a -21.9% compared to the normal situation).
- Increase in confusion levels (a +15.1% compared to the normal situation).
Main Cognitive KPIs
Here we analyze the two parameters most affected during the test:
Focus
Measures the ability to concentrate and pay attention to elements in the environment (people, objects, actions).
Normal situation: 65.9
Stressful situation: 51.5
Reduction: -21.9%
Confusion
Measures the lack of clarity, understanding, and assimilation of the received information.
Normal situation: 21.3
Stressful situation: 24,5
Increase: +15.1%
Stress and high physical and mental demands clearly affect the cognitive abilities of soldiers, highlighting the importance of having technological tools like Kopernica to assess and optimize performance under extreme conditions.
