Neuromuscular and Psychological Performance Monitoring During One Season in Spanish Marine Corps.

Abstract

Background: Training planning in military environments is complex due to diverse operational demands and constant exposure to stressors. When combined with high training volumes and insufficient recovery, this can result in physical and mental overload. Regular assessments are crucial to monitor the condition of personnel and adjust training accordingly, though more research is needed to effectively track performance in real operational settings. Objectives: This study aims to monitor neuromuscular and psychological performance in relation to training load in a military school, addressing the research gap in tracking performance in operational settings. Methods: Overall, 27 marines (age: 27.9 ± 4.8 years; height: 178.1 ± 6.3 cm; weight: 79.1 ± 7.8 kg) were monitored over a 13-week academic-military training period to assess neuromuscular performance and psychological fatigue. Results: Laboratory tests included the countermovement jump (p = 0.002), isometric mid-thigh pull (p = 0.001), and handgrip strength for both dominant (p = 0.947) and non-dominant hands (p = 0.665). Field tests involved maximum pull-ups (p = 0.015), push-ups (p = 0.001), and the medicine ball throw (p = 0.334). Psychological evaluation via the POMS questionnaire showed the highest negative mood scores in Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Melancholia, and Fatigue-Inertia, while Vigor-Activity was the highest positive state. RESTQ-Sport results indicated total recovery was 68.9% greater than total stress. Conclusions: Despite improvements in some field tests, no significant neuromuscular gains were observed, likely due to excessive training loads, limited recovery, and sustained stress.