Validity of cardiometric performance data: an integral part of complex assessment of training session effectiveness

Aims

The paper offers some results from our experimental studies to determine validity of a complex performance fingerprint: the Baevsky stress index used to assess effectiveness of training programs: training sessions targeted at formation of phsychosomatic self-regulation skills and visual & verbal practical training course aimed at development of emotional intelligence.

Materials and methods

In order to determine the criterion-related validity of cardiometric assessments of training results, we have organized training sessions addressing scheduled staged formation of the self-regulation skills.

Before the training sessions and after them, our training participants have been instructed to perform a set of three tasks, covering the following:
– to imagine a calming video clip;
– to imagine some TV news reporting various dramatic incidents, emergencies, calamities etc.
– to generate self-relaxation, to perform the task to get relaxed and initiated or induced an emotional balance.

During the execution of the above mentioned test tasks, we have recorded synchronously an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a rheogram (Rheo) of every tested individual with the use of PC-assisted hemodynamic analyzers CARDIOCODE.

In order to estimate the construct validity, test simulation & training equipment sessions for operators, who have shown differing levels in their training and actual experience in the operation of complex machinery and equipment systems, have been conducted. Each operator has been offered some variants of images of a control panel related to one of the equipment item serviced by them: the images have appeared on the screen of portable eyetracker GP-3.

In order to assess the content validity of the measured cardiometric parameters as fingerprints of the available training effect, if any, we have investigated the affective-cognitive processes, which have appeared during the visual and verbal practical training of the examined individuals to develop their emotional intelligence.

Results and conclusions

Upon completion of our scientific investigations we have obtained the experimental confirmation of the validity of the applicability of a complex cardiometric fingerprint, like the Baevsky stress index, in order to assess the applicability and effectiveness of the training courses. Thus we have shown by the example of the psychosomatic self-regulation that it is just the Baevsky stress index that may be properly exploited in assessing the fact that the desired skills to control its own emotional state by a trainee have been effectively formed as the designed outcome of this training type. Discussing an example illustrating the execution by the complex machinery operators of the specific training test tasks, we have pioneered in demonstrating that the Baevsky stress index can be best applied in estimating the degree of interiorization of the formed skill and the robustness of the integration of the latter into the human individual life experience. Upon treating one more exemplary case of the visual-verbal practical testing to develop emotional intelligence, we have shown that there is a possibility to trace the availability of the training effect according to the variations in the Baevsky stress index values, while performing the above test tasks in the training course.

Imprint

Aleksandr S. Ognev, Vladimir А. Zernov, Elvira V. Likhacheva, Lyubov P. Nikolaeva, Mikhail Y. Rudenko, Rosalina S. Kagonyan, Polina А. Kozintseva, Polina А. Maslennikova, Nikita V. Mizin. Validity of cardiometric performance data: an integral part of complex assessment of training session effectiveness. Cardiometry; Issue 14; May 2019; p.96-100; DOI: 10.12710/cardiometry.2019.14.96100; Available from: http://www.cardiometry.net/issues/no14-may-2019/validity-of-cardiometric-performance-data