THE EFFECT OF MENTAL TRAINING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MILITARY ENDURANCE TASKS IN THE CANADIAN INFANTRY

This study investigated the effects of two cognitive training strategi es, associative and dissociative thinking, on soldiers' ability to per form a weight-loaded march. Forty Infantry soldiers from the Canadian Army completed three hours of marching. Following the march, subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups: associative (biofeedback ), dissociative (meditation), combined associative-dissociative (biofe edback and meditation) and control. After two weeks of mental training , the soldier performed the march again. Analyses showed that all sold iers bad improved in their ability to estimate the amount of time rema ining in the march and in their ability to reduce heart rate levels wh ile marching. Significant changes however were not found in perceived fatigue levels and in rates of perceived exertion during the march. Re sults are discussed in light of these findings.