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Development and application of a questionnaire to self-rate physical work demands for ground combat soldiers

Larsson, Jonas LU ; Dencker, Magnus LU ; Olsson, Charlotte. M. and Bremander, Ann LU (2020) In Applied Ergonomics 83.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the present study was to identify the most physically demanding work tasks for Swedish ground combat soldiers through the development and application of a questionnaire survey. This is the first in a series of studies aiming to describe the development process and validation of physical selection standards in the Swedish armed forces.

Methods
Based on procedural documentation, combat manuals and job analyses, a questionnaire was developed that defined and rated the perceived physical strain of 30 work tasks for ground combat soldiers. To assess validity, an expert focus group was used and psychometric analysis performed. The questionnaire was then distributed to 231 ground combat soldiers, of whom 165... (More)
Purpose
The aim of the present study was to identify the most physically demanding work tasks for Swedish ground combat soldiers through the development and application of a questionnaire survey. This is the first in a series of studies aiming to describe the development process and validation of physical selection standards in the Swedish armed forces.

Methods
Based on procedural documentation, combat manuals and job analyses, a questionnaire was developed that defined and rated the perceived physical strain of 30 work tasks for ground combat soldiers. To assess validity, an expert focus group was used and psychometric analysis performed. The questionnaire was then distributed to 231 ground combat soldiers, of whom 165 responded (71%).

Results
The questionnaire was validated in three steps to achieve face and content validity, and internal consistency was acceptable (Chronbach's alpha ≥0.95). Of the 30 work tasks included in the survey, transport of wounded was rated as the most demanding task for both aerobic capacity and strength. Other highly demanding tasks for aerobic capacity included combat movement (low/high crawl), dismounted attack in close country, urban and rough terrain and carrying heavy loads. There were no gender differences for either aerobic or strength demands in the top five most challenging tasks based on proportions.

Conclusions
This study identified the most physically demanding tasks performed in the Swedish ground combat forces. Almost all the physically demanding tasks found in the present study contain elements of lifting and carrying, which require muscular strength and muscular endurance, with no gender differences. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Ground combat soldiers, Aerobic capacity, Work-demands, Physical demand
in
Applied Ergonomics
volume
83
article number
103002
pages
6 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85074946049
  • pmid:31747636
ISSN
1872-9126
DOI
10.1016/j.apergo.2019.103002
project
Evaluating Swedish soldiers’ physiological demands in combat Studies on job demands and physiological factors limiting soldier’s ability to perform their tasks
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
cf86f240-3f58-4e5c-a7ba-780a010fd94d
date added to LUP
2019-11-19 14:14:33
date last changed
2023-10-07 20:44:07
@article{cf86f240-3f58-4e5c-a7ba-780a010fd94d,
  abstract     = {{Purpose<br/>The aim of the present study was to identify the most physically demanding work tasks for Swedish ground combat soldiers through the development and application of a questionnaire survey. This is the first in a series of studies aiming to describe the development process and validation of physical selection standards in the Swedish armed forces.<br/><br/>Methods<br/>Based on procedural documentation, combat manuals and job analyses, a questionnaire was developed that defined and rated the perceived physical strain of 30 work tasks for ground combat soldiers. To assess validity, an expert focus group was used and psychometric analysis performed. The questionnaire was then distributed to 231 ground combat soldiers, of whom 165 responded (71%).<br/><br/>Results<br/>The questionnaire was validated in three steps to achieve face and content validity, and internal consistency was acceptable (Chronbach's alpha ≥0.95). Of the 30 work tasks included in the survey, transport of wounded was rated as the most demanding task for both aerobic capacity and strength. Other highly demanding tasks for aerobic capacity included combat movement (low/high crawl), dismounted attack in close country, urban and rough terrain and carrying heavy loads. There were no gender differences for either aerobic or strength demands in the top five most challenging tasks based on proportions.<br/><br/>Conclusions<br/>This study identified the most physically demanding tasks performed in the Swedish ground combat forces. Almost all the physically demanding tasks found in the present study contain elements of lifting and carrying, which require muscular strength and muscular endurance, with no gender differences.}},
  author       = {{Larsson, Jonas and Dencker, Magnus and Olsson, Charlotte. M. and Bremander, Ann}},
  issn         = {{1872-9126}},
  keywords     = {{Ground combat soldiers; Aerobic capacity; Work-demands; Physical demand}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Applied Ergonomics}},
  title        = {{Development and application of a questionnaire to self-rate physical work demands for ground combat soldiers}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2019.103002}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.apergo.2019.103002}},
  volume       = {{83}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}