A force with a forward or backward linear acceleration is unique as it will trigger a vergence response with the eyes. This means that the eyes are moving in opposite directions as they track a target moving closer or further from you. Placing the target on the ground in front of him, Ben then performs… Continue reading Keeping Target Focus with Forward/Backward Acceleration
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Target Focus and the Vestibular System
In this video Ben is holding the camera while he walks and then transitions to a run. You’ll notice that as he walks we are able to maintain good focus of the gym, but as he transitions to a run we lose that ability to keep clear vision on the environment. But he didn’t lose… Continue reading Target Focus and the Vestibular System
Testosterone, Subconcussions, and Vestibular Function
Decreased testosterone levels are common after brain trauma. One study found testosterone suppression in 100% of men within 10 days after a mild traumatic brain injury. [1] “…administration of testosterone following injury to cranial neurons has been shown to upregulate the expression of neuroprotective genes…” [2] In other words, testosterone can help with brain health.… Continue reading Testosterone, Subconcussions, and Vestibular Function
Neuronal Damage Biomarker Rises After SCUBA Diving
Protecting brain health in tactical athletes means we must expand our view to include all potential subconcussive mechanisms, ensuring any MOS, or specialty’s unique neurotrauma exposures are considered. Combat divers are no exception. A study conducted at the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF) naval base with professional divers recruited from the SwAF, the Swedish Coast Guard,… Continue reading Neuronal Damage Biomarker Rises After SCUBA Diving
Maintaining Target Focus Against an External Force: Weapon Recoil
Maintaining target focus against an external force is an important skill and greatly impacts performance. For example, maintaining target focus when experiencing a weapon’s recoil. You don’t want to risk losing target focus with every recoil force. Here’s what happens: This typically happens in less than 15ms and can have a significant impact on accuracy… Continue reading Maintaining Target Focus Against an External Force: Weapon Recoil
How to Add Vestibular Training to Your Plyometrics
Your vestibular system is integral to performance. It is an essential situational awareness system and contributes to movement in low visibility and maintaining position against an external force. The performance of your vestibular system is also vulnerable to repeated subconcussive exposures. That is why it is so important to incorporate vestibular training into your training.… Continue reading How to Add Vestibular Training to Your Plyometrics
Own the Night
Tactical athletes must maintain a high level of performance under no vision conditions. When visual cues are removed, there is a shift to increased dependence on the auditory, vestibular, and somatosensory systems for situational awareness. Maintaining communication with your team in these situations typically involves verbal (auditory system) and tactile (somatosensory system) cues. To maintain… Continue reading Own the Night
Maintaining Position Against an External Force
Force = Mass x Acceleration. Maintaining position against an external force requires the ability to counteract both the mass and the acceleration components. You need to have the physical output capabilities, like strength, to hold your position. But strength alone isn’t enough to hold your position. Take bull riders for example. In order to stay… Continue reading Maintaining Position Against an External Force
Customize Chaos – 10 Visual Chaos Variables
There are 10 variables I look at to customize visual chaos training. I put these together for you to be able to look at the variables and identify which you want to add, remove, and adjust to train with specificity. You can get the PDF download of this list HERE. 1. Target size – large… Continue reading Customize Chaos – 10 Visual Chaos Variables
Peripheral Target Centralization
You want two things to happen when centralizing on a peripheral target: Because the faster you can turn your head and keep that target in focus, the faster you can accurately engage it. Rapid centralization of a peripheral target requires your vestibular system. To maintain that peripheral target focus as you move your head, your… Continue reading Peripheral Target Centralization