ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5792-9430
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Publisher: Medknow
Date: 2016
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-08-2021
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1962983
Abstract: Adaptation to military operational stress is a complex physiological response that calls upon the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and immune system, to create a delicate balance between anabolism and catabolism and meet the demands of an ever-changing environment. As such, resilience, the ability to withstand and overcome the negative impact of stress on military performance, is likely grounded in an appropriate biological adaptation to encountered stressors. Neuroendocrine [i.e. cortisol, epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), neuropeptide-Y (NPY), and brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF)], inflammatory [i.e. interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α], as well as growth and anabolic [i.e. insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)] biomarkers independently and interactively function in stress adaptations that are associated with a soldier's physical and psychological performance. In this narrative review, we detail biomarkers across neuroendocrine, inflammatory, and growth stimulating domains to better elucidate the biological basis of a resilient soldier. The findings from the reviewed studies indicate that military readiness and resiliency may be enhanced through better homeostatic control, better regulated inflammatory responses, and balanced anabolic/catabolic processes. It is unlikely that one class of biomarkers is better for assessing physiological resilience. Therefore, a biomarker panel that can account for appropriate balance across these domains may be superior in developing monitoring frameworks. Real-time physiological monitoring to assess biomarkers associated with resilience will be possible pending more sophisticated technologies and provide a field-expedient application for early identification and intervention of at-risk soldiers to improve military resiliency.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.EXGER.2019.110662
Abstract: Stressful experiences, poor self-rated health, and negative emotional states have been implicated with higher levels of inflammatory markers and lower levels of neurotrophic factors in some healthy adults and clinical populations, but these relationships are unclear in the elderly. This study aimed to identify the associations between systemic inflammatory and neurological markers with well-being and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in independently living elderly people. Cross-sectional study. A total of 268 men and women aged ≥65 years living independently in retirement communities in Melbourne, Australia. Questionnaires were used to assess HR-QoL [Short Form (SF)-36 version 2] and well-being (Personal Wellbeing Index). Serum inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] were standardised to Z-scores and used to calculate pro- and anti-inflammatory composite score and an overall composite inflammatory index. Plasma levels of the neurological markers amyloid β (1-40) and amyloid β (1-42), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were also assessed. No significant associations were found between any inflammatory or neurological marker with HR-OoL or well-being, with the exception that lower perceptions of the HR-QoL vitality subscale were associated with higher levels of hs-CRP [unstandardized beta-coefficient (β): -1.50 95% CI: -2.53, -0.46 P = 0.004] and Z-scores in the pro-inflammatory composite score (β = -2.06 95% CI: -3.49, -0.62 P = 0.005). In elderly people residing in independent living retirement communities, there was no consistent evidence indicating that circulating inflammatory or neurological markers were associated with the key physical or mental HR-QoL domains or overall well-being. This suggests that these biomarkers may not be effective predictors in relatively healthy communities, and may be more beneficial in frail or clinical populations. Clinical Trials registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613001161718). www.anzctr.org.au/.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 10-03-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0265121
Abstract: Military personnel are required to train and operate in challenging multi-stressor environments, which can affect hormonal levels, and subsequently compromise performance and recovery. The aims of this project were to 1) assess the impact of an eight-day military training exercise on salivary cortisol and testosterone, 2) track the recovery of these hormones during a period of reduced training. This was a prospective study whereby 30 soldiers (n = 27 men, n = 3 women) undergoing the Australian Army combat engineer ‘Initial Employment Training’ course were recruited and tracked over a 16-day study period which included an eight-day military training exercise. Non-stimulated saliva s les were collected at waking, 30 min post waking, and bedtime on days 1, 5, 9, 13, 15 measures of subjective load were collected on the same days. Sleep was measured continuously via actigraphy, across four sequential study periods 1) baseline (PRE: days 1–4), 2) field training with total sleep deprivation (EX-FIELD: days 5–8), 3) training at simulated base c with sleep restriction (EX-BASE: days 9–12), and 4) a three-day recovery period (REC: days 13–15). Morning cortisol concentrations were lower following EX-FIELD (p .05) compared to the end of REC. Training in the field diminished testosterone concentrations (p .05), but levels recovered within four days. Bedtime testosterone/cortisol ratios decreased following EX-FIELD and did not return to pre-training levels. The sensitivity of testosterone levels and the testosterone/cortisol ratio to the period of field training suggests they may be useful indicators of a soldier’s state of physiological strain, or capacity, however inter-in idual differences in response to a multi-stressor environment need to be considered.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 31-10-2022
DOI: 10.1136/MILITARY-2022-002179
Abstract: Military personnel train and operate in challenging multistressor environments, which can affect hormonal levels, and subsequently compromise performance and recovery. The aims of this project were to evaluate concentrations of cortisol and testosterone and subjective perceptions of stress and recovery across basic military training (BMT). 32 male recruits undergoing BMT were tracked over a 12-week course. Saliva s les were collected weekly, on waking, 30 min postwaking and bedtime. Perceptions of stress and recovery were collected weekly. Daily physical activity (steps) were measured via wrist-mounted accelerometers across BMT. Physical fitness was assessed via the multistage fitness test and push-ups in weeks 2 and 8. Concentrations of testosterone and cortisol, and the testosterone:cortisol ratio changed significantly across BMT, with variations in responses concurrent with programmatic demands. Perceptions of stress and recovery also fluctuated according to training elements. Recruits averaged 17 027 steps per day between weeks 2 and 12, with week-to-week variations. On average, recruits significantly increased predicted VO 2max (3.6 (95% CI 1.0 to 6.1) mL/kg/min) and push-ups (5. 5 (95% CI 1.4 to 9.7) repetitions) between weeks 2 and 8. Recruit stress responses oscillated over BMT in line with programmatic demands indicating that BMT was, at a group level, well-tolerated with no signs of enduring physiological strain or overtraining. The sensitivity of cortisol, testosterone and the testosterone:cortisol ratio to the stressors of military training, suggest they may have a role in monitoring physiological strain in military personnel. Subjective measures may also have utility within a monitoring framework to help ensure adaptive, rather than maladaptive (eg, injury, attrition), outcomes in military recruits.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-05-1970
DOI: 10.1177/00187208221086686
Abstract: This project aimed to assess the impact of an 8-day military training exercise on cognitive performance, and track its recovery in periods of reduced training load and partially restored sleep. Military personnel often work in challenging multi-stressor environments, where sleep loss is inevitable. Sleep loss can impair multiple cognitive domains, which can have disastrous consequences in military contexts. A total of 57 male and female soldiers undergoing the Australian Army combat engineer Initial Employment Training course were recruited and tracked over a 16-day study period which included an 8-day field-based military training exercise. Cognitive performance was assessed via a computerised battery at seven time points across four sequential study periods 1) baseline (PRE), 2) military field training exercise which included total sleep deprivation (EX-FIELD), 3) training exercise at simulated base with restricted sleep opportunities (EX-BASE), and 4) a 3-day recovery period (REC). Subjective load, fatigue, and sleep were evaluated continuously via questionnaire and actigraphy. Psychomotor speed, reaction time, visual tracking and vigilance were impaired following the EX-FIELD period ( p 0.05). The majority of affected measures recovered 2 days following EX-FIELD, being no different in EX-BASE compared to PRE. The sensitivity of the cognitive tests to sleep restriction, and recovery, indicates they can help assess operational readiness in military personnel. Future studies should explore other indicators of, and strategies to preserve, operational readiness in military personnel. This study highlights the impact of work-induced fatigue on cognitive performance, and would interest authorities seeking to preserve operational readiness.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-11-2022
Abstract: Over a 15-day period, that included an eight-day field trial, the aims of this study were to (1) quantify the physical workload, sleep and subjective well-being of soldiers in training (2a) Explore relationships between workload and well-being, and (2b) sleep and well-being (3) Explore relationships between workload, sleep, and well-being. Methods: Sixty-two Combat Engineer trainees (59 male, 3 female age: 25.2 ± 7.2 years) wore an ActiGraph GT9X to monitor daily energy expenditure, physical activity, and sleep. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), sleep quality, and fatigue were measured daily, subjective well-being was reported days 1, 5, 9, 13 and 15. Multi-level models were used for the analysis. Results: Well-being was affected by a combination of variables including workload, subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency. RPE and subjective sleep quality were consistently significant parameters within the models of best fit. Conclusions: Perceptions of well-being were lower during the field training when physical workload increased, and sleep decreased. Energy expenditure was comparatively low, while daily sleep duration was consistent with field training literature. Subjective assessments of workload and sleep quality were consistently effective in explaining variations in well-being and represent an efficient approach to monitor training status of personnel.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-01-2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 14-06-2022
Abstract: Ensuring a balance between training demands and recovery during basic military training (BMT) is necessary for avoiding maladaptive training responses (e.g., illness or injury). These can lead to delays in training completion and to training attrition. Previously identified predictors of injury and attrition during BMT include demographic and performance data, which are typically collected at a single time point. The aim of this study was to determine in idual risk factors for injury and training delays from a suite of measures collected across BMT. A total of 46 male and female recruits undertaking the 12-week Australian Army BMT course consented to this study. Injury, illness, attrition, and demographic data were collected across BMT. Objective measures included salivary cortisol and testosterone, step counts, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance. Perceptions of well-being, recovery, workload, fatigue, and sleep were assessed with questionnaires. Baseline and mean scores across BMT were evaluated as predictors of injury and attrition using generalized linear regressions, while repeated-measures ANOVA was used for the group comparisons. From the 46 recruits, 36 recruits completed BMT on time 10 were delayed in completion or discharged. Multiple risk factors for injury during BMT included higher subjective ratings of training load, fatigue, and stress, lower sleep quality, and higher cortisol concentrations. Higher ratings of depression, anxiety, and stress, and more injuries were associated with a higher risk of delayed completion. Higher concentrations of testosterone and higher levels of fitness upon entry to BMT were associated with reduced risk of injury and delayed completion of BMT. Ongoing monitoring with a suite of easily administered measures may have utility in forewarning risk of training maladaptation in recruits and may complement strategies to address previously identified demographic and performance-based risk factors to mitigate injury, training delays, and attrition.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 15-06-2022
Abstract: Purpose: Assess and describe the physical demands and changes in subjective wellbeing of recruits completing the 12 week Australian Army Basic Military Training (BMT) course. Methods: Thirty-five recruits (24.8 ± 6.8 y 177.4 ± 10.1 cm, 75.6 ± 14.7 kg) consented to daily activity monitoring and weekly measures of subjective wellbeing (Multi-component Training Distress Scale, MTDS). The physical demands of training were assessed via wrist worn activity monitors (Actigraph GT9X accelerometer). Physical fitness changes were assessed by push-ups, sit-ups and multi-stage shuttle run in weeks 2 and 8. Results: All objective and subjective measures significantly changed (p 0.05) across the 12 week BMT course. In parallel, there was a significant improvement in measures of physical fitness from weeks 2 to 8 (p 0.001). The greatest disturbance to subjective wellbeing occurred during week 10, which was a period of field training. Weeks 6 and 12 provided opportunities for recovery as reflected by improved wellbeing. Conclusions: The physical demands of training varied across the Australian Army 12 week BMT course and reflected the intended periodization of workload and recovery. Physical fitness improved from week 2 to 8, indicating a positive training response to BMT. Consistent with findings in sport, wellbeing measures were sensitive to fluctuations in training stress and appear to have utility for in idual management of personnel in the military training environment.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 25-10-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-02-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S00420-022-01845-9
Abstract: Studies in basic military training (BMT) examining sleep are largely cross-sectional, and do not investigate relationships between sleep, stress, recovery and fatigue. The aims of this study were to (1a) quantify changes in recruits’ sleep quantity and quality over 12 weeks of BMT (1b) quantify changes in recruits’ perceptions of stress, fatigue and recovery over BMT and (2) explore relationships between sleep, and perceptions of stress, fatigue and recovery. 45 recruits (37 male 8 female, age: 25.2 ± 7.2 years, height: 176.2 ± 10.0 cm, mass: 76.8 ± 15.0 kg) wore ActiGraph GT9X’s for 12 weeks of BMT, collecting sleep duration, efficiency and awakenings. Subjective sleep quality, fatigue were measured daily, with stress and recovery measured weekly. Multi-level models assessed relationships between sleep, and stress, recovery, and fatigue. Objective daily means for sleep duration were 6.3 h (± 1.2 h) and 85.6% (± 5.5%) for sleep efficiency. Main effects were detected for all mean weekly values ( p 0.05). Sleep quality showed the strongest relationships with stress, recovery and fatigue. The best model to explain relationships between, stress, recovery and fatigue, included sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency and awakenings. The reported mean sleep duration of 6.3 h per night may negatively impact training outcomes across BMT. Combining both subjective and objective measures of sleep best explained relationships between sleep metrics stress, fatigue and recovery. Perceived sleep quality was most strongly related to change in stress, recovery, or post-sleep fatigue.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 2023
DOI: 10.1136/BMJSEM-2022-001524
Abstract: Poor intervertebral disc (IVD) health is associated with low back pain (LBP). This 12-week parallel randomised controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a progressive interval running programme on IVD health and other clinical outcomes in adults with chronic LBP. Participants will be randomised to either a digitally delivered progressive interval running programme or waitlist control. Participants randomised to the running programme will receive three in idually tailored 30 min community-based sessions per week over 12 weeks. The waitlist control will undergo no formal intervention. All participants will be assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Primary outcomes are IVD health (lumbar IVD T2 via MRI), average LBP intensity over the prior week (100-point visual analogue scale) and disability (Oswestry Disability Index). Secondary outcomes include a range of clinical measures. All outcomes will be analysed using linear mixed models. This study has received ethical approval from the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (ID: 2022-162). All participants will provide informed written consent before participation. Regardless of the results, the findings of this study will be disseminated, and anonymised data will be shared via an online repository. This will be the first study to evaluate whether a progressive interval running programme can improve IVD health in adults with chronic LBP. Identifying conservative options to improve IVD health in this susceptible population group has the potential to markedly reduce the burden of disease. This study was registered via the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 29 September 2022 (ACTRN12622001276741).
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-03-2015
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 07-11-2017
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 19-02-2021
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 21-06-2019
No related grants have been discovered for Jamie Tait.