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Multinational military exercises are among the most notable demonstrations of military cooperation and intent. On average, one is initiated every 8.9 days. But it has often been argued that joint military exercises (JMEs) increase the risk of war. Using a relational contracting approach, we claim that formal military alliances mediate the effect of JMEs. Exercises and alliances serve complementary functions: The former allows targeted responses to military provocations by adversaries, while the latter provides institutional constraints on partners and establishes a partnership’s overall strategic limitations. In combination, alliances dampen the conflict escalation effects of exercises, deterring adversaries while simultaneously restraining partners. We test this theory using a two-stage model on directed dyadic data of JMEs from 1973 through 2003. We find that JMEs in general do not escalate conflict, and that JMEs conducted with allies in particular reduce the probability of conflict escalation.

Purpose To evaluate the impact of the “Search and rescue” field military training exercise (SR_FTX) on hormonal modulation and identify their possible correlation with physical and cognitive performance. Methods An observational (before and after) study was carried out, with male firefighters cadets ( n  = 42; age = 23[22;27] years) undergoing a nine-day military exercise (SR_FTX). The Countermovement jump (physical performance), the Stroop test (cognitive alertness), and blood tests for testosterone, cortisol, GH, and IGF-1 were applied. Wilcoxon for paired samples and Spearman’s correlation tests were used. Results Testosterone (751.10 [559.10;882.8]  vs.  108.40 [80.12;156.40] ng/dL) and IGF-1 (217.5 [180;239.30]  vs.  105 [93;129] ng/mL) significantly decreased while GH (0.10 [0.06;0.18]  vs.  1.10 [0.58;2.28] ng/mL) and cortisol (9.60 [8.20;11.55]  vs.  15.55 [12.28;18.98] ug/dL) significantly increased. Physical performance (31.2 [30.04;35.4]  vs.  21.49 [19,02;23,59] cm) and cognitive alertness were significantly worse after SR_FTX (Congruent task: 1,78 (0183)  vs.  1,56 (0185) response/s and incongruous task: 1,23 (0191)  vs.  1,02 (0207) response/s). The physical performance showed a strong correlation with testosterone (rho = 0.694) and regular correlations with both IGF-1 (rho = 0.598) and cortisol (rho = − 0.580). The Stroop test presented weak correlations with GH (rho = − 0.350) and cortisol (rho = − 0.361). Conclusion SR_FTX negatively impacted hormonal modulation, physical and cognitive performance. These findings could help commanders decide to replace the employed firefighters in a real mission more frequently. Also, if the real scenario allows, they could think about providing better work conditions, such as improving caloric intake and rest periods, to preserve the military performance and health.

A NATO kiképzési rendszere az elmúlt években jelentősen átalakult, ami közvetlen hatást gyakorol a katonai gyakorlatok tervezésére és végrehajtására. Az innovatív kiképzési megközelítések a technológiai fejlődést, a hibrid hadviselés kihívásait és a többnemzeti együttműködés erősítését célozzák, így a gyakorlatok funkcionalitása fokozatosan igazodik a megváltozott biztonsági környezethez. A tanulmány elemzi a NATO kiképzési rendszerének főbb változásait, kiemelve az interoperabilitási képesség növelésének szükségességét, az adaptív kiképzési eljárások bevezetését. A kutatás rávilágít arra is, hogy ezek az újítások hogyan befolyásolják a NATO-tagállamok kollektív kiképzési eljárásrendjeinek harmonizációját, különös tekintettel a kollektív műveleti képességek kialakítására, a katonai gyakorlatok előkészítésre, valamint a törzsfelkészítések levezetésére.    NATO's training system has undergone a major transformation in the recent years, which has a direct impact on the planning and execution processes of military exercises. New, innovative training approaches are focusing on technological advances, the challenges of hybrid warfare and the strengthening of multinational cooperation, which is gradually adapting the functionality of exercises to the changed security environment.   The study analyses the main changes in NATO's training system, highlighting the increase in interoperability and the introduction of adaptive training procedures. The research also highlights how these innovations affect the harmonisation of NATO member states' collective training procedures, in particular with regard to the development of collective operational capabilities, the preparation of military exercises and the conduct of training exercises. 

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of gender affirming hormones on athletic performance among transwomen and transmen.MethodsWe reviewed fitness test results and medical records of 29 transmen and 46 transwomen who started gender affirming hormones while in the United States Air Force. We compared pre- and post-hormone fitness test results of the transwomen and transmen with the average performance of all women and men under the age of 30 in the Air Force between 2004 and 2014. We also measured the rate of hormone associated changes in body composition and athletic performance.ResultsParticipants were 26.2 years old (SD 5.5). Prior to gender affirming hormones, transwomen performed 31% more push-ups and 15% more sit-ups in 1 min and ran 1.5 miles 21% faster than their female counterparts. After 2 years of taking feminising hormones, the push-up and sit-up differences disappeared but transwomen were still 12% faster. Prior to gender affirming hormones, transmen performed 43% fewer push-ups and ran 1.5 miles 15% slower than their male counterparts. After 1 year of taking masculinising hormones, there was no longer a difference in push-ups or run times, and the number of sit-ups performed in 1 min by transmen exceeded the average performance of their male counterparts.SummaryThe 15–31% athletic advantage that transwomen displayed over their female counterparts prior to starting gender affirming hormones declined with feminising therapy. However, transwomen still had a 9% faster mean run speed after the 1 year period of testosterone suppression that is recommended by World Athletics for inclusion in women’s events.

Persons who are not acclimatized to high altitudes and who ascend to 2500 m are at risk for acute high-altitude illnesses. This article reviews approaches to prevention (e.g., slow ascent, inclusion of a rest day during ascent, and medications) and treatment. Foreword This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the authors' clinical recommendations. Stage A 45-year-old healthy man wishes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in a 5-day period, starting at 1800 m. The results of a recent exercise stress test were normal; he runs 10 km 4 or 5 times per week and finished a marathon in less than 4 hours last year. He wants to know how he can prevent becoming ill at high altitude and whether training or sleeping under normobaric hypoxic conditions in the weeks before the ascent would be helpful. What would you advise? The Clinical Problem Persons who are not acclimatized and ascend rapidly to high altitudes . . .