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Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Revised and Neuroimaging-Compatible Versions of the Dual Task Screen
Published on: October 5, 2020
Changes in combat task performance under increasing loads in active duty marines
Rebecca L Jaworski1, Andrew Jensen2, Brenda Niederberger2
1Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad, Marine Corps Systems Command, 2200 Lester Street, Quantico, VA 22134-6050.
Unlabelled:
U.S. Marines perform mission tasks under heavy loads which may compromise performance of combat tasks. However, data supporting this performance decrement are limited.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of load on performance of combat-related tasks.
Methods:
Subjects (N=18) ran a modified Maneuver Under Fire ([MANUF], 300 yards [yd] total: two 25-yd sprints, 25-yd crawl, 75-yd casualty drag, 150-yd ammunition can carry, and grenade toss) portion of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test under 4 trial conditions: neat (no load), 15%, 30%, and 45% of body weight, with a shooting task pre- and post-trial.
Results:
There was a significant increase in total time to completion as a function of load (p<0.0001) with a relationship between load and time (r=0.592, p<0.0001). Pre- to post-MANUF shot accuracy (p=0.005) and precision (p<0.0001) was reduced.
Conclusion:
Short aerobic performance is significantly impacted by increasing loads. Marksmanship is compromised as a function of fatigue and load. These data suggest that loads of 45% body weight increase time to cover distance and reduce the ability to precisely hit a target.
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