EFEITOS FISIOLÓGICOS DO ESTRESSE DURANTE CONFRONTO ARMADO: IMPLICAÇÕES PARA O TREINAMENTO POLICIAL

This article analyzes the physiological effects of stress during armed confrontations and their implications for police training. Based on a literature review on the neurobiology of stress and human performance under pressure, the study examines how the brain’s "low road" (automatic) and "high road" (conscious) processing mechanisms are affected in high-risk situations. The phenomenon of amygdala hijack and its consequences for tactical decision-making are discussed. Based on this theoretical foundation, an integrated training model is proposed that incorporates principles of stress inoculation, conditioning of appropriate automatic responses, and development of psychophysiological resilience. The results suggest that implementing a structured pedagogical progression, with gradual exposure to specific stressors, can significantly improve the operational effectiveness of police officers in armed confrontations. It is concluded that aligning training methodologies with the neurobiological principles of stress represents a promising approach to reducing risks and increasing effectiveness in critical situations.