A job task analysis of the physical demands of manually preparing a 4-person battle trench as a military defensive position

Rue, C. A., Myers, S. D., Vine, C., Nevola, V. R., Lee, B. J., Walker, E. F., Coakley, S. L. and Flood, T. R. (2025) A job task analysis of the physical demands of manually preparing a 4-person battle trench as a military defensive position. Applied Ergonomics, 127 (104520). pp. 1-8. ISSN 0003-6870

[thumbnail of C.A. Rue, S.D. Myers, et al, A job task analysis of the physical demands of manually preparing a 4-person battle trench as a military defensive position, Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 127, 104520, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104520.]
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Text (C.A. Rue, S.D. Myers, et al, A job task analysis of the physical demands of manually preparing a 4-person battle trench as a military defensive position, Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 127, 104520, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104520.)
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Abstract

Abstract
Aim
Conduct a Job Task Analysis (JTA) to quantify the physical demands of preparing a defensive position by British Army Ground Close Combat (GCC) roles.
Method
Subjective data to describe the demands of preparing a defensive position were gathered from focus groups (n = 90) and questionnaires (n = 1495). Eight GCC personnel were observed preparing a defensive position which involved digging, lifting, and carrying materials. The oxygen cost of digging was measured using staged reconstructions at slow (12 shovels min−1, n = 16) and fast (22 shovels min−1, n = 13) rates.
Results
The JTA identified digging trenches, filling sandbags, and shovelling debris as principal tasks of preparing a defensive position. Oxygen cost during the fast-digging rate (27.45 ± 4.93 ml kg−1 min−1) was 26 % greater than the slower rate (21.75 ± 2.83 ml kg−1 min−1; p < 0.001, d = −1.461).
Conclusion
Digging a defensive position was identified by military experts as a critical job-task, with variability in metabolic cost dependent on work rate. Data may inform selection, training, and technology interventions to improve task performance.

Publication Type: Articles
Additional Information: © 2025 The Authors
Uncontrolled Keywords: ground close combat, soldier, occupational physiology, physical performance, digging, physical employment standards
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Exercise Physiology
Research Entities > Centre for Health and Allied Sport and Exercise Science Research (CHASER)
Depositing User: Carla Rue
Date Deposited: 30 Apr 2025 09:45
Last Modified: 30 Apr 2025 09:45
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/8055

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