W H I C H M O T O R A B I L I T I E S H A V E THE HIGHEST IMPACT ON WORKING PERFORMANCE OF SLOVENIAN SOLDIERS

Purpose: The objective of the research was to find a correlation between motor abilities and working efficiency of soldiers in a battle unit of Slovenia Armed Forces (SAF). Methods: The subject consisted of 115 soldiers (age=27.1±3.7 years) who were serving in the first brigade of the SAF. Motor abilities were measured with 11 motor tests, assessing the level of flexibility, speed, strength and coordination. To evaluate working efficiency of soldiers a special questionnaire was used, which consisted of 19 statements. Superior officer was asked to fill a questionnaire for each inferior soldier with values from 1 to 5. The correlation between motor abilities and working efficiency was assessed with the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: We have found 4 statistically significant correlations. Motor tests correlating most with working performance were tests of arm strength. Conclusions: The superior officer better-evaluated soldiers, who could express higher level of arm and leg strength, who could perform the complex motor tasks quickly and solve the space related problem efficiently. Stronger, faster and more coordinated soldiers appeared to be more effective with carrying out the each day's demands of modern military.