"How Operator Tuning works"

Special operations forces are at the forefront when it comes to defending a free society. In order to always deliver the highest performance, they need the best support. With "Operator Tuning" Sport scientist Daniel Kaptain presents his concept for the best possible support for operational forces. We wanted to know from him what is important and how sports are doing in the Bundeswehr. 

SPARTANAT: Daniel, usually you "tune" cars. What needs to be done to successfully tune an operator of special forces? 

Daniel Kaptain: The term "tuning" does not mean making the operator "better" - because he is already at an extremely high level. It is more about ensuring that he receives the best conditions in his training routine and before or after missions. So, to remain "better" and possibly optimize "the last %".

So, it is about taking care of the high-quality resource "operator", as is the case in elite sports or management. Because the operator is often required or expected to deliver physical, cognitive and mental peak performance. Therefore, the conditions in training and everyday life must also meet this requirement.

"The operator as an individual is at the center. His skills make the unit valuable."

SPARTANAT: HPO - short for Human Performance Optimization - seems to be a trend in sports. What is it in simple terms? 

It is the holistic approach that includes an optimum of physical training, specific high-quality nutrition, regeneration management, and psychological, mental, and social support. Similar to elite sports, an attempt is made to identify, individualize, and optimize all influenceable factors. With a comprehensive support and assistance package, outstanding performance can be secured in the long term.

The operator as an individual is at the center. Without his skills and without his existence, the respective unit/association is useless and therefore worthless. This has been recognized in recent years - especially in the USA. Accordingly, this "trend" is now being pursued here as well.

The turning point, the realization of a real threat situation, and the fact that the operational forces protect our security and the existence of our society in case of an emergency seems to be slowly becoming understood. I want to make it clear here once again: it is about responsibility and duty of care towards those who put their health and lives at stake to fulfill the mission! Our politicians and society must recognize this!

SPARTANAT: You provide coaching for special operations forces. How is it received? 

It is very well received by the operational forces and the personnel deployed operationally and in training. They are all "professionals" who are interested in constant optimization. The connection between support and effectiveness has been recognized here for some time. It must be said that there has also been a certain change in mentality in recent years. The old, regimented approaches no longer work in times of a shortage of young recruits, or in a society with high demands. It is also about resource optimization and appreciation. Any measure that works and is proven to be effective is accepted. Especially to make very good men even better!

The problem - as is often the case - is the bureaucratic apparatus and politics. Because it is hardly possible without financial resources. HPO requires a lot of resources, both personnel and material. Similar to professional sports, various experts from different professions are required. Above all, however, the operational forces need time for these measures. The lack of personnel and young recruits is a serious problem here, as the burdens are distributed among few shoulders. Thus, the stress is high, the regeneration time (and therefore the time for HPO measures) is low.

SPARTANAT: Normally, in the military, it is about uniformity, and drilling everyone the same. Here, now, individuality and personal support are the right approach? 

Every person - and therefore operator - has a different biology and history. Be it the civilian career (sports, etc.) or the tactical training (use). In addition, the body structure, genetics, etc. are highly different.

This must be clarified especially nowadays, because knowledge is abundantly available via the Internet, etc. This is a blessing and a curse. Because the tips and advice are unspecific. Which is "normal", since sender and receiver are completely unknown to each other. This creates a "mis-match" and often a wrong measure and/or dose is applied. This leads to mistakes and thus frustration.

Therefore, I have developed a strategy which I have established with several hundred operators over the last years, which considers individuality.

My focus here is particularly on neurochemistry. I learned about this approach as an athletic trainer in the USA 20 years ago and since then have analyzed athletes and operational forces (especially special forces of police and military) and created individual training concepts. The measures - like in HPO - include

• individual nutritional forms
• individual training strategies
• individual regeneration and mental techniques

since these areas of the nervous system and the corresponding neurotransmitters are controlled and influenced. Conversely, the functionality of neurochemistry is "tuned" by these strategies (training/nutrition/regeneration) - hence the name "Operator Tuning".

Each operator/athlete/client I coach receives such a protocol and thus individual strategies for implementation. This makes the difference.

Therefore, it is also part of my role to advise the associations and management level on how such a concept can be sustainably integrated into everyday life and routines.

"Sports in the Bundeswehr are incorrectly weighted. Physical performance determines operational capability."

SPARTANAT: What does this approach mean for sports in the Bundeswehr in general? Are they doing something wrong? 

Generally speaking, many things work well, and many motivated and professionally qualified individuals are involved. Therefore, the "mistake" should not necessarily be sought in people or measures.

The problem is rather that "sport" is incorrectly weighted in the Bundeswehr. Above all, physical performance is not a real (evaluation) criterion. Rather, "poor" or "below average" physical performance is not penalized. The same applies, of course, in large parts of the population - the much-cited "combat readiness" looks different. The importance of physical fitness is often underestimated or ignored. However, it is an elementary factor in the area of "operational readiness."

As a result, training is not given the necessary importance in any way. Nowadays, the term "sport" is also no longer contemporary in the context of "combat readiness". Increasing or maintaining physical fitness is rather what is necessary. Here, a needs-based, structured, and measurable training is important. This is too little realized in the Bundeswehr. If the "foundation" is already deficient, the development of high-performance personnel becomes understandably difficult. Therefore, a structure should be established where young talents are prepared early, structured, and effectively for selection processes or assignments in special functions or with special forces.

I implemented and documented beginnings in the years 2011-2013 as part of my dissertation. As so often, these were not pursued further.

Nevertheless, I am optimistic, as I am in areas where professionalism, cooperation, and the will to implement things are lived. This gives hope, which is also necessary in view of the current challenges.

DANIEL KAPTAIN - the biography.

"Operator Tuning" by Daniel Kaptain, SPARTANAT Black Book 15, pocket-sized paperback, 142 pages - available in our SPARTANAT SHOP.