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Cognitive Flexibility Predicts Live-Fire Rifle Marksmanship in Airborne Cadets: A Pilot Study
Dariusz Jamro1, John A Dewey2, Grzegorz Żurek3
1Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland.
Brain Sciences
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Cognitive flexibility and processing speed, not physical fitness, significantly predict rifle marksmanship in cadets. These findings suggest incorporating executive function training into marksmanship programs.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology and military science.
- Performance analysis in operational settings.
Background:
- Executive functions, including cognitive flexibility (CF) and inhibitory control (IC), are crucial for complex tasks.
- Previous research on the link between physical fitness and marksmanship yields mixed results.
- The predictive role of specific cognitive functions in live-fire marksmanship requires further quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the associations between cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, physical fitness, and rifle marksmanship in cadets.
- To develop a parsimonious predictive model for marksmanship performance.
Main Methods:
- Twenty male airborne cadets completed live-fire Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) qualification.
- Cognitive flexibility and processing speed were assessed using the Color Trails Test (CTT-1 and CTT-2).
- Inhibitory control was evaluated using a stop-signal task, and physical fitness was measured by the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).
Main Results:
- Faster performance on the CTT-2 was significantly associated with higher BRM scores (ρ = -0.48, p = 0.032).
- The most parsimonious predictive model for BRM performance included only CTT-2 time, highlighting cognitive flexibility and processing speed as key predictors.
- Overall physical fitness (ACFT scores) showed no significant association with marksmanship performance.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive flexibility and processing speed are significant correlates of live-fire rifle marksmanship in cadets.
- Integrating executive function training into marksmanship programs may enhance performance.
- Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to validate these findings.
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