3 Weeks Of Chronic Hypergravity Training Improves Tactical Athlete Anaerobic Tasks

Abstract

PURPOSE: Technological improvements have reduced the weight of equipment tactical athletes (TA) wear or carry, but TA must still perform high intensity tasks in the field under substantial external loads. The purpose of this study was to determine if a chronic hypergravity training (CHT) could improve anaerobic task performance under load. METHODS: Nine trained men (age = 21 ± 2 years; height = 180 ± 1 cm; body mass = 91.1 ± 4.4 kg) completed 3 weeks of CHT which consisted of wearing a weighted vest equal to ∼11% (week 1), 13% (week 2), and 16% (week 3) of body mass during daily living activities (4+ days/week; 8+ h/day) but not during training. Four tactical athlete performance tasks were practiced during two familiarization sessions before experimental trials. The tasks included a 5 flight, 53 step stair climb, 44 m zig-zag sprint with 2 points of change in direction and kneeling on one knee, 2 x 25 m casualty drag (84 kg), and 8 x 25 yard shuttle run. All tasks were completed while wearing a 12 kg vest. Percentage change in performance from pre- to post-intervention were compared between CHT and a 3 week control period taking place after CHT (CON) using dependent t-tests, and Cohen’s D effect size was calculated for absolute change in performance for each task. RESULTS: All tasks displayed trends of robust improvement from baseline to post CHT, followed by modest drops in performance during CON (p-value range = 0.03 to < 0.001; ES range 1.1 to 2.6; see Table 1). CONCLUSION: These results suggest the addition of CHT provides greater enhancement of occupational anaerobic task performances for TA than traditional training alone.Table: No title available.