Quality Evalutation of the Combat Individual Protection System by Eurofit Physical Fitness Testing

Abstract

Researchers from the National Armed Forces (NAF) Republic of Latvia in cooperation with researchers from Riga Technical University (RTU) and Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE) carried out a quality evaluation of the combat individual protection system (CIPS) of the NAF by the EUROFIT physical fitness testing complex and Harvard step testing, covering flexibility, speed, endurance and strength. Experiments were split into five days. Five different sets in total have been evaluated during the experiments with the following loads – 1,7 kg (light clothing mode), 11,0 kg (light armour mode), 20,2 kg (heavy armour mode), 19,6 kg (heavy armour mode without combat jacket), 11,8 kg (backpack mode). Six NAF soldiers were involved in the experiments. Results of the experiments show up to 43% of muscular endurance decrease, cardiorespiratory endurance decreased by 35%, trunk strength decreased by 22%, explosive leg power decreased by 26%, flexibility was lost to an amount of 18%, sweating during maximum load increased by 47%, with the combat jacket removed sweating was decreased by 29%. The Harvard step testing results identify the adaptation of the muscle groups to the specific load type and did not show significant changes in strength. The 10×5 m shuttle run (running speed and agility) demonstrated the high quality of the light armour load mode 18:16 sec. (1.7 kg) versus 18:30 sec. (11.0 kg), meaning a high level of modularity of the CIPS. The Flamingo balance test, plate tapping (speed of limb movement) and the handgrip test (static arm strength) showed no influence of the CIPS onto the soldiers’ physical conditions