Overview of the HFM-181 Symposium Programme, Medical Technology Repurposed to Enhance Human Performance

Abstract : Human Performance Optimization (HPO) involves strategies to sustain performance in the face of operational stressors that degrade function (e.g., through selection, training, feeding, rest, equipping, and leadership). This differs from Human Performance Enhancement (HPE) strategies to create superhuman capabilities beyond the normal biological range through modification of human structure and function (e.g., surgery, genetic modification, pharmacology, neural stimulation, prosthetic implants). The majority of HPE opportunities arise from advances in medical research technologies to treat injury and disease where there are justifiable risk-benefit tradeoffs. The concessions in trying to improve normal human biology are different, and are typically accompanied by adverse health and performance consequences. Potential medical and HPE advances can also come from understanding biological mechanisms supporting specialized performance in other species (bioinspired technologies). Repurposing of medical technologies for HPE is inevitable because some athletes and others aim to be the first to employ any potential competitive advantage. The military can lead the way for ethical and thoughtful research in this area and foster a thorough understanding of both the risks and the possibilities for tactical advantages.