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Neuromuscular Performance Changes in Response to the Australian Special Forces Selection Course
Angela Uphill1,2, Kristina L Kendall1, Stuart Guppy1
1School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.
Military Medicine
|November 13, 2025
Summary
Strenuous military training significantly reduced strength and power, with full recovery taking three weeks. This research informs optimal training and recovery strategies for military personnel.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Special Forces (SF) selection courses involve extreme physical exertion, sleep, and food deprivation.
- These conditions can severely impair physical performance and necessitate understanding recovery timelines.
- Maintaining operational readiness and preventing injuries requires knowledge of performance deficits and recovery patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify physical performance changes following the Australian SF Selection Course (SF-SC).
- To monitor the recovery of physical performance for up to 8 weeks post-course.
- To investigate the influence of hormonal and body composition changes on performance recovery.
Main Methods:
- Assessed isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance in 21 SF-SC completers.
- Measured serum hormone concentrations (testosterone, cortisol) and body composition pre- and post-course, with follow-ups.
- Utilized Wilcoxon rank tests and linear mixed effects models (LMEs) to analyze performance changes and influencing factors.
Main Results:
- SF-SC caused significant reductions in IMTP peak force (16%) and CMJ jump height (28%), peak power (30%), and mean power (29%).
- Most IMTP measures returned to baseline within 1 week, while CMJ variables required 1-3 weeks for full recovery.
- Hormonal factors (testosterone, T:C ratio) and body composition (lean mass) significantly influenced strength and power outputs.
Conclusions:
- The SF-SC induces substantial, short-term decrements in strength and power.
- Full physical performance recovery was achieved within 3 weeks post-course.
- Findings provide crucial data for designing effective training and recovery protocols for demanding military operations.
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