A Latent Trait Model of Simulated Combat Performance

Abstract

Military personnel perform many physically demanding tasks. Identifying the physical abilities that influence performance will contribute to the design of efficient physical training programs. Causal models were constructed to evaluate aerobic capacity (AC), anaerobic power (AP), and muscle endurance (ME) as potential causes of general performance (GP). Five simulated combat tasks defined GP. AP and AC, but not ME, influenced GP. The AP-AC combination contrasted with general strength (GS)-AC models found in earlier studies. No GS measures were available in this study, so the inclusion of AP in the final model may be a case of omitted variable bias. The models to date have consistently excluded ME as a cause. Further study of the importance of AP could be constructive.-1-