The Effects of Simulated Military Land Transit on Physical Performance.

INTERVENTION: Participants will be exposed to one of four exposure conditions lasting 120 minutes. Each condition will take place with the participant seated on a seat taken from a Bushmaster PMV. In order to reproduce the forces experienced during military land transit the seat will be located atop a CKAS 6 degree of freedom simulation platform. This platform will be located within the biomechanics laboratory within the University of South Australia, and has been calibrated to accurately reproduce the recorded forces experienced during military land transit. The whole intervention will be administered by the lead researcher (Thomas Debenedictis) with the groups consisting of: Negative control group – participants will not be required to be secured to the seat with the use of the seat harness. There will be no vibrational forces Positive control group – Participants will be secured with the use of the harness attached to the seat for the duration of the exposure. There will be no vibrational forces. Simulation of a 1st class road group – Participants will be exposed to a period of simulated transit that will represent a 1st class road (paved highway) and be secured to the seat with the use of seat harness Simulation of a cross country road ‐ participants will be exposed to a period of simulated transit that will represent a cross country conditions and be secured to the seat with the use of seat harness CONDITION: Exposure to whole body vibration PRIMARY OUTCOME: Changes in full body strength as indicated by changes in Isometric mid‐thigh pull strength Changes in lower limb power as indicated by changes in 20m sprint performance changes in lower limb strength as measured by the peak landing forces during the drop jump SECONDARY OUTCOME: Changes in arm‐hand steadiness as indicated by a change in the number of contacts during a arm hand‐steadiness test with participants required to hold a 2mm metal stylus attached to the end of a replica rifle in a 4mm hole. A counter will be set up so that each time the metal stylus makes contact with the inside of the hole the circuit is completed and the contact is counted Changes in lower limb power as indicated by a changes in the rate of force development as measured during the drop jump Measures of reactive agility will be tested with participants required to react to a light positioned atop two timing gates positioned to form a 'Y' with the 20 m sprint. Upon crossing the end of the 20m sprint the participant will be required to move as fast as possible through the corresponding gate depending on which light activates (left v right) changes in flexibility as measured during the sit and reach test INCLUSION CRITERIA: Both the general population and Australian Defence Force cohorts will be required to meet the same inclusion criteria allow. Matching both cohorts demographically and in terms of their physiological fitness will allow for comparison between cohorts. All participants will have to meet the following criteria: Male Aged 18‐24 Injury free within the last 6 months Able to complete ADF physical performance entry tests All participants will be required to perform a familiarisation session and the testing protocol.