Human Performance Optimization (HPO) for the Warfighter—Keeping It Simple in a Complex Age: A Narrative Review

Abstract

For the past 2 decades, western Armed Forces have been almost continuously engaged in combat operations worldwide. Over this period, changes to the character of conflict, combined with technological advancements, have resulted in a contemporary military operational environment that is arguably more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than ever before. However, although the character of conflict may have changed, it fundamentally remains a human endeavor that places unique and intense physiological, psychological, and cognitive demands on the warfighter. As a result, there has been an increased emphasis in military and scientific circles on the concept of human performance optimization. In addition, the concept of the tactical athlete as a categorization for military personnel and those who work in extremis settings has developed within the professional strength and conditioning community. Therefore, the following narrative review aims to outline the concept of human performance optimization, review the demands of the modern operational environment, and provide strength and conditioning practitioners working with military personnel with evidence-based recommendations to optimize the physiological, psychological, and cognitive performance of the warfighter.