#22 MTBI

Jake Labhart is a former Army Airborne Infantryman, who founded In Extremis Performance after his military service to fill a critical void in tactical training. Focusing on law enforcement and special operations units at all levels, he has spent the last 5 years creating human performance programs to boost effectiveness and longevity. With a Doctorate from Campbell University, Jake designs research- backed fitness tests and shooting assessments for operational units while developing training pipelines. Actively involved in the tactical and human performance industries, Jake serves on the TTPOA board and spearheads a health and wellness initiative for Texas law enforcement.In this episode Jake discusses the importance of integrating human performance techniques into training. To ensure both individuals are getting the best outcomes from their training and instructors are providing the most effective training methodology to improve operational performance and outcomes.If you have any questions or want to learn more about what the team do at In Extremis Performance, just visit them at website: https://inextremisperformance.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-labhart-0359b9138/Instagram: @inextperformance  

What makes for effective training in tactical and critical response Occupations? To help answer this questions and improve awareness, a group of researchers recently published a study on “Factors Related to Negative Transfer of Training in Safety‐Critical Professions: An Interview Study” They separated the factors in several factors related to the Trainee, Training design and Organisational Environment and relevant subfactors within each. Part 1 provides an overview of their recommendations, with subsequent summaries on the 3 factors and subfactors to follow. From the results the authors made these Recommendations.  1.   Don’t pressure trainees into showing only desired behaviour – instil a growth mindset/ Help them try out and learn new skills.2.   Don’t let trainees perform simplified versions of important tasks – in some cases no practice at all is better than incorrect practice.3.   Don’t focus only on performance outcomes – monitor the process for unrealistic aspects of the simulation and debrief differences between the simulation and reality.4.   Use balance of training of routines (repetitively) and training of higher order competencies using varied and unpredictable training scenarios. 

In this episode we touch on the difference between routine and adaptive expertise for occupations that work in complex or chaotic environments and why the traditional method of trying to develop routine expertise may be a suboptimal approach.  When we look at "Routine expertise" the focus is on getting things done using known solutions in stable environments.While "Adaptive expertise" is about adjusting and innovating when things are unpredictable and complex.

AIn law enforcement, the military, and other tactical organizations, the beep test has long been a benchmark for assessing aerobic fitness—ensuring recruits are physically ready to meet the demands of their duties.But here's the catch: in recent years, many organizations have lowered their entry standards to attract more recruits. While this may seem like a win for diversity and accessibility, it raises some serious questions:What’s the cost of reduced standards?Increased risk of injuriesLower training qualityShorter career longevityCompromised long-term health and welfareA potential dip in operational effectivenessWhether you're already in a tactical career or aiming to join, it’s critical to understand the risks tied to declining fitness thresholds—for both personal health and team competency.Tune in to the latest podcast episode, where we explore into the risks vs. rewards of lowered standards and how we can better balance recruitment goals with operational readiness.Listen now and join the conversation!

This short discussion explores linear and non-linear motor skill development to emphasise the need to understand the operational needs, your students, your learning outcomes and the principles underlying what you're trying to achieve. To develop the most effective training methodology to maximise the transfer of training to operaitonal performance. 

Knowledge shields are a form of cognitive rigidity that we regularly use and encounter, which can impede the formation of new knowledge, updating old knowledge and learning. It Is the general tendency to preserve old models, beliefs or misconceptions through denial or defensive mechanisms, including downplaying the importance or relevance of contradictory data, arguing from authority, resorting to bad analogies, ignoring secondary effects, arguing from special cases and arguing the principle has limited applicability.They are often used for various reasons to avoid change or new or conflicting information that the individual does not naturally want to accept, finds threatening or challenges long-held beliefs. Knowledge shields can prevent us from developing better practices or inhibit our ability to evolve or keep up with rapidly changing environments, advancing technology and new scientific evidence.It is also a risk of identifying as a subject matter expert (SME), where individuals can defend their mental models or refute new information. Negatively impacting their performance or leading them to incorrect conclusions in new situations.This discussion explores knowledge shields and ways to overcome them to improve our knowledge and decision-making and ensure we continually strive to provide the best training possible.

This episode explores some of the co-factors associated with MTBI in the military, the considerations and difficulty in isolating the impact of blast exposure, and the behaviours we can do to reduce the risks of cognitive degeneration.

Does the scan develop an effective combat behaviour of is it just range theatrics? This discussion explores some of the considerations to improve the way we provide critical training.

In this episode, I speak with Sam Cox. Sam was raised in South Devon and throughout his school years developed a taste for the outdoors living close to both the beach and Dartmoor.This sense of adventure continued after he left school and joined the Royal Marines in 2010. He has tested himself throughout the globe’s harshest environments from the humidity of the jungles in Brunei, the heat of Central Asia, to the depths of the iciest temperatures in Norway. He will be using these experiences to help tackle the challenges of crossing 1,950km of Antarctic tundra and glaciers.In November 2023, Sam will embark on a unique solo and unsupported journey across Antarctica. Starting at the coast of Berkner Island and finishing at the base of the Reedy glacier, via the South Pole, this expedition is a total distance that is likely to exceed 2000 km. As one of the last wildernesses, this will be a pure test of physical and mental endurance.If you would like to support Sam on this incredible attempt or follow his journey, more details are available at;https://www.frozendagger.co.uk/about-samhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/frozen-dagger/https://www.instagram.com/frozendagger/https://www.facebook.com/FrozenDaggerSolo

Today I want to ask the question, could the Pygmalion effect be having an impact on individual mental health outcomes?The Pygmalion or Rosenthal effect is a psychological phenomenon in which the leader's high expectations can lead to improved performance and low expectations lead to worsened performance. Subconsciously influencing their actions and behaviours in relation to those individuals leading to the realisation of those expectations.