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Fast-Roping: Potential Consequences of Vibrations for Sensation and

Regulation of Movement

Article  in  Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals · June 2014
DOI: 10.55460/ZMM4-LQBN · Source: PubMed

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 Fast-Roping:
Potential Consequences of Vibrations
for Sensation and Regulation of Movement
Jan-Peter Goldmann, Dr.; Bjoern Braunstein, Dr.; Maximilian Sanno, Dipl. Degree;
Stefan Kurzner, Police Chief Inspector; Gert-Peter Brüggemann, Prof. Dr.; Joachim Mester, Prof. Dr.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Short-term exposure (2–30 seconds) to seg-
mental mechanical vibrations with frequencies between
20 and 80 Hz affects proprioception of the central ner-
vous system and manual dexterity and strength of man.
It could be supposed that during fast-roping, Soldiers
are exposed to hand–arm vibrations caused by the ge-
ometry of the rope. After the maneuver, Soldiers are
encouraged to operate with high precision (e.g., aim-
ing and shooting) within a few seconds. For safety,
disturbances of the sensory system should be strongly
avoided. The purpose of the study was to determine the
vibrations induced by different rope geometries during
fast-roping. Methods: Eight men of the German Special
Forces performed 10 fast-roping maneuvers with two
different shaped ropes (slightly molded versus deeply
molded). Vibration data and frequency spectrum for
each trial were measured by using fast Fourier trans-
formation. Results: The analysis of data showed that
fast-roping with a slightly molded rope produced fre-
quencies of up to 10 Hz, while the frequencies with a
deeply molded rope accounted for 18 to 60 Hz. The
ropes differed significantly (p < .001) in frequencies be-
tween 20 and 50 Hz. The exposure time of vibration
lasted between 3 and 5 seconds. Conclusion: Consider-
ing the negative effects associated with vibrations, pru-
dence is required when using deeply molded ropes due
to the increased vibrations of about 20 Hz.
Keywords: fast-roping, vibrations, motion, rope, sensations,
rappelling, abseiling, vibrations, kinesthetic illusions, Special
Operation Forces
Introduction
Vibration is defined as oscillatory motion in which the
motion is not constant but alternately greater and less
than some average value. The magnitude of vibration is
determined by the extent of oscillation, whereas the fre-
quency of vibration is determined by the repetition rate
of the cycles of oscillation. The frequency of vibration is
measured in Hertz (Hz) and is the main factor determining
80
the biologic effects of vibration.1 The effects of mechani-
cal vibrations on man are a complex phenomenon. If
a muscle is exposed to vibration, the primary endings
of the muscle spindle (Ia afferents) are stimulated. This
excites α-motoneurons and causes contraction of mo-
tor units, which results in tonic muscle contraction.2–5
During exposure to vibration, the stretch-reflex (muscle
activity in response to sudden stretching, which pro-
vides automatic regulation of muscle length) and the
Hoffmann-reflex (electrically induced reflex analogous
to the mechanically induced stretch-reflex) are inhib-
ited.6–8 Long-term effects of vibration (e.g., Raynaud’s
disease, hand–arm vibration syndrome) on the hands
and arms are widely investigated.9,10 But, due to the
complexity of the biologic system and the discrepancy
of vibration waveform, the mechanism of the interac-
tion between vibration and biologic response remains
mostly unclear.11,12 However, it is discussed that expo-
sure to vibration hinders proprioception and influences
the production of finely graded hand-forces.13,14 Immedi-
ately after an exposure to vibration, the responsiveness
of spindles is diminished. The postvibratory depression
of spindle sensitivity lasts for only a few seconds, but
the disturbance in proprioception can persist for up to
a few minutes.15 The interaction between the hands and
a vibration releasing tool is influenced by the type and
the condition of the tool. For Special Forces, the tool
used to rappel out of a helicopter is a rope. Fast-roping
is a rappelling maneuver of civilian and military Special
Forces used to deploy into a location rapidly through
descend out of a helicopter. This technique requires no
individual mechanical hook-up to the rope. Each mem-
ber of the team must wear proper fast-rope gloves when
sliding down the rope to protect against the heat gener-
ated by friction. To carry out a fast and safe descent, the
Soldiers grab the rope with both hands and then step
out of the helicopter. By opening and closing the hands,
the pressure onto the rope is decreased or increased and
rappelling velocity is regulated. After the maneuver,
Special Forces are required to perform a precision task
to operate precisely (e.g., aiming and shooting) within
a few seconds. For safety, disturbances of the sensory
system should be minimized or avoided completely. Table 1 Specifications of the slightly molded and deeply
Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine molded ropes
vibrations induced by different rope geometries during Slightly Deeply
fast-roping maneuvers. Molded Rope Molded Rope
Construction Eight-strand Eight-strand
Methods braided, type L braided
kernmantle rope
Eight men (age 27 ± 2 years, weight 88 ± 9 kg, height Material Polyamide Polyamide/
183 ± 5 cm) from the German Special Forces performed multifilament polyamide spun
10 fast-roping maneuvers with two differently shaped staple fiber filaments
ropes (five trials per rope). The fast-roping technique Diameter (mm) 46 48
(position of hands and arms) was almost identical be-
Diameter under
tween the Soldiers. One rope was plain handled and pre-tension EN ISO 40 42
slightly molded; the other rope was roughly braided, 2307 (mm)
abrasive, and deeply molded (Figure 1).
Mass (100m) (kg) 75 86.7
Tensile strength (kN) 98 39
Figure 1 Slightly molded (above) versus deeply molded rope
Elongation under
(below). Notice the different constructions, geometries, and
pretension EN ISO 25 <5
shapes of the ropes. 2307 (%)

The ropes differed significantly (p < .001) in frequencies,

Specifications of the ropes are given in Table 1. The
ropes were fixed with a helicopter cockpit dummy at a
height of 12 m. A 5-kN strain-gauge load cell (S-Type,
Tedea-Huntleigh, Tedea, Israel, accuracy 99%; http://
www.farnell.com/) was mounted between the suspen-
sion and the rope. Digitized force data were sampled via
personal computer using LabView 12.0 software (Na-
tional Instruments Corp.; http://www.ni.com/labview/).
Raw data were filtered with a 5-Hz high-pass filter. Vi-
bration data and frequency spectrum for each trial were
obtained by using fast Fourier transformation. A Wil-
coxon test was chosen to determine the differences in
frequency between the two ropes. The level of signifi-
cance was defined as α = .05. Additionally, the Soldiers
were interviewed about the vibrations, the braking be-
havior, and the feeling of safety during fast-roping with
the slightly and the deeply molded rope.
especially between 20 and 50 Hz (Figure 3). The expo-
sure time of vibration lasted between 3 and 5 seconds. In
the interview, all eight Soldiers described the vibrations as
being higher with the deeply molded rope than with the
slightly molded rope. For all eight Soldiers, the braking
behavior seems to be better with the slightly molded rope
than with the deeply molded rope, and all eight Soldiers
reported that the feeling of safety is less with the deeply
molded rope than with the slightly molded rope.
Discussion
This study examined the mechanical vibrations released
during fast-roping with different ropes. Because the
­interaction between the hands and a vibration-releas-
ing rope seems to be influenced by the construction,
Figure 2 Amount of frequencies during all fast-roping trials
with a slightly molded (black line) and a deeply molded rope
(gray line).

Results
The analysis of data showed that fast-roping with the
slightly molded rope produces frequencies up to 10 Hz,
while the frequencies with the deeply molded rope ac-
count for frequencies of 18 to 60 Hz (Figure 2).

Fast-Roping: Consequences of Vibration 81

Figure 3 Means (solid lines) and standard deviations (dashed
lines) of the amount of frequencies during fast-roping with a
slightly molded (black) and a deeply molded rope (gray).
Notes: *Statistically significant (p < .05) difference between the ropes.
***statistically significant (p < .001) difference between the ropes.
g­eometry, and shape of the rope, the purpose of this
work was to determine the frequency spectrum that oc-
curred with a slightly molded compared with a deeply
molded rope. To the best of our knowledge, no other
studies have previously investigated mechanical vibra-
tions during fast-roping maneuvers with different ropes.
However, it was found that the construction (especially
geometry) of a rope plays a substantial role in releasing
vibrations. Because fast-roping is a rappelling technique
without a hook-up to the rope, the hands provide the
main contact to the rope and regulate the velocity of the
maneuver by opening and closing fingers. Therefore, one
can assume that the vibrations caused by the ropes are
transferred mainly to the Soldier’s hands and arms. The
results of the study showed that frequencies between
5 and 10 Hz occurred when Soldiers used a slightly
molded rope. By changing the rope into a deeply molded
one, frequencies between 18 and 60 Hz were measured.
The frequencies between the ropes differed significantly
(p < .001) between 20 and 50 Hz (Figure 3).
Negative effects of vibration on humans are well docu-
mented but are most often observed in the workplace
through exposure to large vibration loads or chronic
exposure to vibration.16–19 In this environment, expo-
sure to vibration has been shown to damage several
biologic structures (e.g., peripheral nerves, blood ves-
sels, joints, and perceptual function). Animal studies
also reported changes in endocrine and cardiovascular
function, respiratory responses, central nervous system
patterns, and metabolic processes.1 Exposure to vibra-
tion affects several physiological systems (e.g., neuro-
endocrine, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and sensory
systems), but there is limited reliable information on the
aftereffects of mechanical vibrations on the precision of
82 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 14, Edition 2/Summer 2014
movement of the hands and arms. Previous studies ex-
amined the effects of mechanical vibrations on hands
and arms.11,13,14,20–22 It was shown that exposure to vi-
brations manipulates sensation and sensibility of the
muscle–nerve system. In particular, vibrations to muscles
and tendons of the wrist result in inaccurate movements
of hands and arms. The reasons for that phenomenon
are so-called segmental kinesthetic illusions. These illu-
sions provoke misinformation about the real joint angle
position and therefore cause errors in the precision of
movement.13,20–22 Kinesthetic illusions are found not
only during exposure to vibration but also seconds to
minutes after vibration.
Wierzbicka et al.23 analyzed oscillations of the center
of force application after an exposure to vibration (80
Hz) of 30 seconds to the Achilles tendon and tibialis
anterior muscle. The results of the study showed that
kinesthetic illusions were found 19 to 180 minutes after
exposure to vibration. The most distinctive oscillations
of the center of force application occurred immediately
after completion of vibration.
In the study by Rogers et al.,15 vibrations of either the
biceps brachii muscle or the triceps brachii muscle for
60 seconds (100 Hz) provoked disturbances in forearm
matching task performances. The alignment errors occur
immediately following the 60-second period of muscle
vibration and last for up to 4 minutes. Cordo et al.13 re-
ported that 40-Hz vibrations applied to the tendon of the
biceps brachii muscle 5 seconds before movement onset
and then stopped at movement onset caused target over-
shooting. The authors concluded that muscle spindle af-
ferents, which are activated by tendon vibration, are an
important source of the dynamic position and velocity
information that the central nervous system uses to co-
ordinate the movement sequence tasks. Further, vibration
influences the production of finely graded forces.
A study by Bock et al.14 showed that force responses
of the hand were 22% smaller with than without wrist
vibrations of 18 to 80 Hz. The authors concluded that
afferent feedback plays a substantial role in the produc-
tion of finely graded forces. In consideration, because
precise movements of the arms and hands during aim-
ing and shooting are of high relevance to maintain per-
sonal and tactical safety after fast-roping maneuvers,
the choice of equipment of the Special Forces should be
considered with caution.
It should be mentioned that in this study the ropes were
fixed with a dummy of a helicopter cockpit at a height
of 12 m. The duration of the maneuver lasted 3 to 5 sec-
onds. During operation, the ropes have a length up to 28
m, which increases the duration of the maneuver to 7 to
12 seconds. Further, the flying helicopter might transfer
 additional vibrations to the Soldiers due to the vibra-
tions of the engine or rotor blades. Therefore, exposure
to vibration and frequency of vibration during operations
might be increased, which might increase the risk of kin-
esthetic illusions and coordinative disturbances. But fur-
ther studies are needed to evaluate this assumption.
Conclusions
Because potential physiological problems are associated
with the exposure to vibration, consideration should be
given to the vibration frequency during fast-roping ma-
neuvers. Considering the negative effects reported in the
literature, the use of ropes that produce vibrations of
about 20 Hz seems to be questionable.
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose. The study was
supported by the German Research Centre of Elite
Sport, the German Sport University Cologne and the
Bureau for Education, Training and Personnel of North
Rhine-Westphalia Police.
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Dr. Goldmann is affiliated with the Institute of Biomechanics
and Orthopaedics and the German Research Centre of Elite
Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
E-mail: goldmann@dshs-koeln.de
Dr. Braunstein is affiliated with the Institute of Biomechan-
ics and Orthopaedics, the German Research Centre of Elite
Sport and the Centre for Health and Integrative Physiology in
Space, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Mr. Sanno has a diploma degree in sports science and is af-
filiated with the Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics
and the German Research Centre of Elite Sport, German Sport
University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Mr. Kurzner is police chief inspector, Bureau for Education,
Training and Personnel of North Rhine-Westphalia Police,
Selm, Germany.
Prof. Dr. Brüggemann is head of the Institute of Bio­
mechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Co-
logne, Cologne, Germany.
Prof. Dr. Mester is head of the Institute of Training Sci-
ence and Sport Informatics and affiliated with the German
Research Centre of Elite Sport, German Sport University Co-
logne, Cologne, Germany.