Effects of lighting conditions on psychophysiological re-sponses and motor skills in warfighters during close quarter combat simulations

• Autores: Rubio-Zarapuz, Alejandro, Stergiou, Maria, Tornero Aguilera, Jose Francisco, Rey-Mota, Jorge, Clemente-Suarez, Vicente Javier
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Universidad ESAN
• Repositorio: ESAN-Institucional
• Lenguaje: inglés
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorio.esan.edu.pe:20.500.12640/4618
• Enlace del recurso: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12640/4618; https://doi-ds.org/doilink/03.2025-25826825/JMVH
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Stress; Cortical arousal; Strength; Fine motor skill; Lactate; Estrés; Excitación cortical; Fuerza; Motricidad fina; Lactato; https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.01.08

This study examines the impact of lighting conditions (darkness, rotational light and continuous light) on warfighters’ psychophysiological responses and fine motor skills in close-quarter combat (CQC) simulations. The study assessed the rate of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration, cortical arousal, isometric lumbar and leg strength, and the time required to reload a pistol magazine in 50 male military personnel experienced in international missions. Findings revealed distinct psychophysiological responses correlated with lighting conditions, with significant responses under rotational and no-light scenarios. Notable correlations included the critical flicker fusion threshold with magazine reload time (r = -0.547, p < 0.000) and isometric strength post-CQC with the rate of perceived exertion (r = 0.319, p < 0.009). The study suggests that manipulating lighting conditions can enhance training and performance in high-stress environments, applicable to warfighters, police officers and firefighters.