2022, Volume 18, Issue 1
The "survival multidisciplinary competition" psychomotor competence test as a synthetic tool for modern defense education
Andrzej Tomczak1
1Polish Scientific Physical Education Association, Military Section, Warsaw, Poland
Author for correspondence: Andrzej Tomczak; Polish Scientific Physical Education Association, Military Section, Warsaw, Poland; email: biuro.at@onet.pl
Full text
Abstract
It poses a challenge for researchers to diagnose psycho-motor competencies of soldiers and officers from other uniformed services in a proper and scientifically based manner. This task is particularly difficult with regard to specific situations, such as a fight for survival (in micro scale).
The objective of this study is recommendation a psycho-motor competency test called a "survival multidisciplinary competition" (SMC) as a tool for modern defence education.
This attractive tool SMC (on the one hand, a modern test, on the other – the possibility of sports competition) is dedicated precisely from the perspective of wide application in defence education focused on survival. This research and educational proposal, in the face of a real threat of an escalation of Russian aggression, can be widely used in extracurricular physical activity of young people.
The test consists of three competitions: No. (1) 800 m run ending with shooting; No. (2) paintball battle; No. (3) hand-to-hand fight based on a modified sumo fighting system (“testing fights in a vertical posture”). The optimal test group (or sport competition) is a team of five with similar body weight. In the case of a sports formula involving more teams, the criterion of body weight similarity does not apply, as the lightest in a given group fights with the lightest in each of the following competition groups etc.
The SMC reflects the realization of tasks of II category by soldiers of military survival school, which is defined as knowledge and psycho-motor competencies associated with the necessity to engage in a fight for survival against forces that aim at capturing or taking one’s life. The principles of evaluating the SMC are described in two different dimensions. The first dimension, being a defence sports, SMC can be promoted as a utilitarian activity among pupils, teenagers, and students at military universities. The second dimension of the SMC is a psycho-motor competency test to fight for survival (in micro scale). Competences are evaluated with the use of eight indicators.
Based on these indicators, survival probability factors can be assessed. Such an analysis of SMC indicators serves as a useful tool for commanders (task force leaders) since it provides detailed information about the preparation level of a soldier/team for fight on a micro scale. It also helps to modify a training for soldiers. This test can be conducted among soldiers and officers from other uniformed services, who perform tasks on a micro scale and are exposed to conducting operations in isolation.
Key words: operations in isolation, innovative agon, hand-to-hand fighting, paintball battle, sumo
