text: Mental Readiness
  9-34. The example of the relationship between heart rate and task performance in table 9-3 applies only to
  extreme stress (for example, stress associated with combat operations) or fear-induced increase in heart rate.
  Increases induced by exercise will not be the same as when fear or extreme stress cause an increase.
  Combining fear or extreme stress with physical exertion can result in heart rates that table 9-3 will not capture.
  Soldier heart rate responses vary. However, every Soldier can train to modulate heart rate response for
  different scenarios. Training that incorporates heart rate control with physical readiness training is important
  so that Soldiers can perform occupational tasks with less stress-induced distraction.
  Table 9-3. The effects on task performance of increasing levels of stress as measured by heart
  rate (bpm)
  Low Stress Moderate Stress High Stress
  Task
  115–145 bpm 145–174 bpm 175+ bpm
  Motor skill Enhanced Deteriorated Shut down
  complexity
  Visual reaction Enhanced Decline Diminished
  time
  Cognitive Improved Declined Irrational response with
  response time shut down of high function
  Decision Quicker Deteriorated Reduced ability to
  making speed communicate
  bpm beats per minute
  STRESS CONTROL
  9-35. Stress control is essential for mental readiness. As described in paragraph 9-34, stress is the body and
  brain’s response to a threat. The interpretation of that threat is based on the perspective of the individual
  Soldier. Thus, the same stressor may cause a positive stress reaction in one Soldier and a negative stress
  reaction in another. Soldiers need to develop and cultivate individualized, group, and organizational resources
  for adapting to the unique demands of military tasks.
  9-36. Practicing stress control strategies optimizes stress adaptability in what is known as the Yerkes-Dodson
  Law. This law explains a relationship between stress and performance. Without any stress, performance will
  be quite poor. As a Soldier experiences low to moderate levels of stress, performance will begin to increase.
  However, as a Soldier’s stress increases beyond his or her capacity, he or she becomes overwhelmed and
  performance begins to degrade. This point is known as a tipping point and is unique to the individual. Routine
  practice of self-regulation and emotional control strategies helps Soldiers adapt to various stressful demands
  within potentially prolonged high-consequence situations.
  PERFORMANCE IMAGERY
  9-37. Performance imagery is a mental readiness skill. It is the mental rehearsal or re-creation of an
  occupational task or experience to improve performance of that task. Similar to the way dynamic stretching
  primes the Soldier’s nerves and muscles for exercise, performance imagery primes the Soldier’s brain to be
  ready for mental challenges. Performance imagery rehearses every step of a task, including reactions to
  potential obstacles. This preventive action can increase confidence and improve outcomes in individual or
  team performance. It works best when the brain attempts to mentally replicate all the sensory inputs possible:
  sight, smell, sound, texture, and proprioception (awareness of where the body is in space). The act of mental
  practice promotes neural pathways between the brain and muscles involved in the task.
  9-38. To practice performance imagery, Soldiers create an image of the environment and location where the
  task is actually taking place. Performance imagery is even more effective when physical movements are
  rehearsed at the same time. If Soldiers will perform the task under high stress conditions, then they should
  try to imagine themselves under control, confident, or relaxed during the task. For example, to perform
  successfully on a combat testing lane for the Expert Field Medical Badge (known as EFMB), the Soldier will
  imagine the lane at the test site. He or she will visualize all the details of the lane and each step of every task.
  He or she will imagine the smell of the smoke and the noise of simulated mortar rounds. He or she will