Baseline Physical Activity Behaviors and Relationships with Fitness in the Army Training at High Intensity Study.

Katie M Heinrich,Christopher K Haddock,Walker S C Poston,Aspen E Streetman,Filip Kukić,Brittany S Hollerbach,Blake D Goodman,Chunki Fong

doi:10.3390/jfmk7010027

Abstract

United States Army soldiers must meet physical fitness test standards. Criticisms of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) include limited testing of only aerobic and muscular endurance activity domains; yet, it is unclear what levels of aerobic and muscle strengthening activity may help predict performance in aspects of the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). This study explored relationships between baseline self-reported aerobic and muscle strengthening activities and APFT- and ACFT-related performance. Baseline participant data (N = 123) were from a cluster-randomized clinical trial that recruited active-duty military personnel (mean age 33.7 ± 5.7 years, 72.4% White, 87.0% college-educated, 81.5% Officers). An online survey was used for self-report of socio-demographic characteristics and weekly aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity behaviors. Participants also completed the APFT (2 min push-ups, 2 min sit-ups, 2-mile run) and ACFT-related measures (1-repetition maximum deadlift, pull-up repetitions or timed flexed arm hang, horizontal jump, and dummy drag). Bivariate logistic regression found greater aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity predicted better APFT performance, while better ACFT-related performance was predicted by greater muscle-strengthening activity. Although our data are mostly from mid-career officers, command policies should emphasize the new Holistic Health and Fitness initiative that encourages regular aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity for soldiers.

Highlights

High levels of physical activity benefit overall health and physical fitness levels [1–3].Physical fitness is one of the most essential attributes of military personnel [4–6]
This study aimed to report baseline physical fitness data of a varied cohort of military personnel, who were mostly mid-career officers attending graduate school at the Fort Leavenworth Command and General Staff College (CGSC)
This study utilized baseline data from a 6-month cluster-randomized clinical trial conducted between 2014 and 2019 among active-duty US military personnel participating in a 6-month exercise intervention, the Army Training at High Intensity Study (ATHIS; https: //clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02407093 accessed on 15 January 2022)

Summary

Introduction

High levels of physical activity benefit overall health and physical fitness levels [1–3]. Physical fitness is one of the most essential attributes of military personnel [4–6]. The U.S Army mandates that soldiers meet the physical demands of any combat or duty position throughout their career [6]. Given the occupational demand for physical readiness, there is sustained interest in understanding physical activity and its relationship to physical fitness among military personnel [6]. At least 150 min of moderate aerobic or 75 min of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of the two, along with two or more days of full-body muscle-strengthening per week is recommended [3]. For additional health and fitness benefits (e.g., improved aerobic capacity), double the amount of aerobic physical activity per week is recommended [3].

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