Physical performance is a crucial concern for U.S. Army soldiers’ health, readiness and lethality in combat. In this Interactive Qualifying Project, students build and test a system dynamics computer simulation model that captures the interactions among the primary physiological and psychological factors that influence human physical performance, and then use the model to test leadership policies aimed at enhancing the performance of soldiers in the U.S. Army. The system dynamics model depicts the underlying factors for performance that quantitatively reproduces the conventional experience of an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army in which a soldier’s physical condition, psychological state, and leader’s behavior influence his capability to complete relevant soldier tasks. Of significance, model tests demonstrate the importance of adaptive leaders to perceive and respond in a timely manner to a subordinate’s performance given that soldier’s personality type. Results suggest policies and future studies to develop more effective leaders for a modern Army in a new era of warfare.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Marsh, Jeffrey
• Champagne, Michaela
• Psenicka, Alexander

Subject

• Health
• Security
• Well-Being
• Project-Based Learning
• Learning

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 69196
• E-project-051222-195248

Keyword

• Motivation
• Leadership
• Psychology
• Army
• System Dynamics
• Physical Performance/Fitness

Advisor

• Radzicki, Michael J.

Year

• 2022

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 3 - Good Health and Well-being
• 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Date created

• 2022-05-12

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright