The aim of this study was to explore human factors aspects of reality-based "force-on-force" (FoF) handgun practice through a within-subjects field experiment that assessed subjective stress measurements, biomarker regulation, performance outcomes, and behavioral adaptations.

FoF handgun practice is a recent training asset for armed officers whereby dynamic opponents may act, react, and even retaliate with specially designed marker ammunition. Predesigned scenarios enable trainees to practice in a simulated real-life environment.

A sample of experienced military personnel (N = 20) ran a handgun workshop in two conditions: FoF practice and traditional cardboard-target practice. Intra-individual assessments included anticipated distress, subjective stress, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), shooting accuracy, and directly observable training seriousness.

Compared with the standard cardboard practice condition, FoF exposure caused significant increases in anticipatory distress, subjective stress, and sAA secretion. Furthermore, participants’ first encounter with FoF practice (vs. cardboard practice) substantially degraded their shooting performance and had a significant positive impact on the earnestness with which they approached their mission during the workshop.

FoF practice is an effective training tool for armed officers because it simulates a realistic work environment by increasing task-specific stress such that it affects important outcomes of professional performance and leads to desirable behavioral changes during training.

Potential applications of this research include the introduction of biomarker assessments in human factors research and the design, based on reality-based practice, of effective training procedures for high-reliability professionals.