A Neuro-Integrative Assessment of Perceptual-Motor Performance and Wellness in ROTC Cadets

Abstract

Resting heart rate variability (HRV) may be a useful index of both brain-based executive function and general health. Our purpose in this study was to quantify relationships among HRV, perceptual-motor performance metrics, and wellness survey responses. A cohort of 32 male Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) cadets completed a dual-task upper extremity reaction time (UERT) test, two tests of whole-body reactive agility, and a 10-item wellness survey that produced a 0–100 Overall Wellness Index (OWI). We averaged participants’ resting HRV measurements twice per week over 10 weeks to derive an intra-individual grand mean (HRV-IIGM) and over a series of days we calculated an intra-individual coefficient of variation (HRV-IICV). We used median values for the two HRV metrics (HRV-IIGM and HRV-IICV) to separate the cadets into equal-sized high and low HRV groups to form the dependent variable for logistic regression analyses. We found a significant inverse relationship between HRV-IIGM and HRV-IICV ( r = –0.723, p < .001). Differences in UERT in the left versus right visual hemifields (L–R Diff) and OWI scores were strongly related to both HRV-IIGM ≤ 4.49 and HRV-IICV ≥ 6.95%. Logistic regression models that included L–R Diff and OWI showed 71% classification accuracy for HRV-IIGM (Model χ2 [2] = 12.47, p = .002, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.430) and 81% classification accuracy for HRV-IICV (Model χ2 [2] = 14.88, p = .001, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.496). These findings suggest that resting HRV, perceptual-motor efficiency, and overall wellness are highly interrelated, supporting a multi-factor biopsychosocial assessment to guide the design and implementation of interventions to maximize operational effectiveness for ROTC cadets and other military personnel.

Psychophysiology, Cognitive Function, and Musculoskeletal Status Holistically Explain Tactical Performance Readiness and Resilience

“…Critically, this initial assessment occurred before a single HITTC event. Moreover, other research has also indicated that higher values of "baseline" parasympathetic resources are commonly indicative of heightened readiness for physical endurance events (6,37,47), the execution of complex motor skills (67,75), and cognitive function under duress (25,56,65). This finding also supports a growing body of literature in concluding measuring and assessing autonomic resource availability, and allocation (through resting HRV analysis) provides a rapid, remote, and actionable measure of an individual's psychophysiological state capacity to perform (10,33,61,65,68).…”

Concussion history and virtual reality metrics predict core or lower extremity injury occurrence among high school athletes

“…The Global Well-Being Index (GWBI) was electronically administered (REDCap, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA) ( 44 ) to quantify physical, behavioral, and emotional status on a 0–100 scale. The problem categories and specific conditions included in the GWBI survey were derived from prior analyses that identified those most frequently reported by athletes for the 10-item sport fitness index and the 82-item overall wellness index surveys ( 45 – 49 ). The GWBI assigns point values between 0 and 10 for each of the five problem categories that each include three specific conditions: general pain or discomfort (headaches/pressure in head, neck pain, non-specific body discomfort), sleep-related problems (trouble falling asleep, sleeping less, fatigue/drowsiness), mood-related problems (nervousness/anxiety, sadness/depression, irritability/stress), musculoskeletal problems (aching discomfort, joint stiffness, muscle spasms/tightness), and high-intensity performance limitations (running speed limitation, explosive power limitation, endurance limitation).…”

Subtle impairments of perceptual-motor function and well-being are detectable among military cadets and college athletes with self-reported history of concussion

“…The Sport Fitness and Wellness Index (SFWI) was administered prior to VR testing to obtain a global estimate of well-being that was derived from a combination of responses to the Sport Fitness Index and the Overall Wellness Index surveys, both of which have been validated as indicators of suboptimal status ( 40 , 53 – 55 ). A 0-100 SFWI score was generated from responses to 20 items pertaining to persisting effects of prior musculoskeletal injuries, physical problems, sleep disruption, cognitive limitations, and mood disorders ( Supplementary Material ).…”