title: Effectiveness of suspension seats in maintaining performance following military high-speed boat transits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether suspension seats (SS) fitted to rigid inflatable boats (RIB) could help maritime boarding teams maintain running performance during the high-risk posttransit phase.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  High-speed RIB transits have been reported to cause reductions in the running performance of boarding teams posttransit.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experiment, two pairs of teams completed a 3-hr transit in either calm or rough seas (calm, 5 vs. 5; rough, 6 vs. 6) in an RIB fitted with either fixed (FS) or Suspension seats (SS). Exhaustive shuttle run distance was measured pre- and immediately posttransit. Transit heart rate and perceived exertion (RPE) were measured and deck and seat pan acceleration recorded; the latter were reported as impacts count and peak magnitude.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Distance run was reduced for the FS teams following both transits (calm,-250 m,-20%, p < .07; rough, -398 m, -26%, p < .05), whereas it was unchanged for the SS teams. All transit heart rates and RPE indicated light exertion levels. Seat pan impacts were similarly reduced during the calm transit (FS, -42%; SS, -30%); however, during the rough transit, the SS was more than twice as effective (FS, -32%; SS, -71%). Peak impact magnitudes were reduced by the SS (calm, -38%; rough, -57%) and amplified by the FS (calm, +3%; rough, +28%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suspension seats effectively maintained posttransit running performance by reducing magnitude of the vertical shocks imposed on the passengers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-speed RIB transits followed immediately by high-intensity activity are intrinsic to contemporary maritime operations; suspension seats can maintain post-transit physical performance, thereby enhancing safety and operational effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Chichester, College Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6PE, United Kingdom. s.myers@chi.ac.uk
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Trevor D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Dobbins
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Sharon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gunston
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dyson
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012767:Ships / Q000295:instrumentation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014732:Vibration