Range firing and its Impact of Physiological Parameters

Any task completion requires the involvement of different parts of the brain and body depending on the complexity of the task on hand. When the task is as complex as the rifle marksmanship, it involves the application of cognitive skills, motor and sensory proficiency at the same time. The cognitive state can be recorded and analysed by using EEG, ECG and Blood Pressure modalities. The acquisition of core skill of firing at initial stage will induce stress, anxiety, fear, etc. in the trainees. The recordings using the modalities discussed above were done prior and post firing event in this study. The parameters of the trainees recorded prior to firing indicated the anxious, stressful state of the mind i.e. low cognitive state. The cognitive state got elevated post firing suitably indicated by the physiological parameters. This study is an aid to the armament training institutes to monitor the progress of the trainees and identifying poorly performing trainees so that suitable correction could be done at an early stage.Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(3), pp.278-284, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.277