ABSTRACT
Self-rcgulation of the psychological state when military personnel are inserted in combat operations is of critical importance for effcctive decision-making, prevention of fatiguc and effective control of motor behavior. The association between mental statc and an individual ' s ability to copc with stress has bcen wcll established. Specifically, the responsc of thc central nervous system and maj or body systems to strcss and its subsequent effect on an individual ' s performance indicates that thcre is a high level of coupling in which one may influence the other to result in e ither positive or negative performance outcomc. Investigations of the brain processes during skillcd performance have revealed that superior visllo-motor pcrformance is markcd by efficient cortical dynamics which likely reflects refined
task-relevant networks that are associatcd with decreased variability in movemcnt traj ectory and enhanced quality of movement output. In addition, examination of peripheral physiology in experts shows that they are able to manage their stress or level of arousal in the moments prior to task execution, so as to not compromise their performance in the face of challenge. In this manner, level of skill is important when examining the brain-performance-arousal relationship . A regression to lower levels of performance is expected under conditions of challenge, particularly when the performer can not manage the stress response or level of arousal . A neuro cognitive model of psychomotor perfOlmance is illustrated (Figure 1 ) in which the
Associative Processes (cognitive and affective)' impact the qual it y of motor output via
muscle activation. As such, "neuro motor noise" in higher cortical regions would negatively impact the quality of motor performance. Performance under pressure requires emotion regulation to preserve the "quiet" mind for superior performance output. Figure 1 : Input from the association areas of the cerebral
�alitv of Movement Output (Kinematics) . cortex in the forn1 of "neuro-motor noise" contributes to nonessential input to the motor loop to result in disregulated corticospinal outflow and degraded motor performance .
