Effects Of Non-mandated Physical Readiness Training On Fitness And Performance In Army Officers

Abstract

To prepare military personnel for occupational operations, Army captains are responsible for implementing, participating and mandating physical readiness training (PRT) for their respective units. However, the fitness of Army leadership is often not assessed, especially in periods where PRT is not mandated. PURPOSE: To observe body composition and fitness in United States Army Captains after 5 months of non-mandated PRT. METHODS: Twenty-two captains volunteered to participate (age; 27±1y, height; 1.8±0.6m, and weight; 83.1±11.1kg). Eleven participants remained in active units with mandated training (PRT) while 11 participants were in positions where training was not mandated (NMT). Both groups logged exercise performed during the intervention. Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic power, and muscular endurance were measured before and after the intervention period (18±2 weeks). RESULTS: At pre-intervention, PRT and NMT were not different in body fat percent (22.0±4.6 vs. 20.3±4.4%), peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak; 45.7±2.4 vs. 48.8±3.8ml.kg-1.min-1), mean power output (566±47 vs. 542±91W), sit-ups (72±5 vs. 77±11reps) or push-ups (59±6 vs. 60±15reps) (P>0.05). There was no time by group interaction in body fat percent (P=0.28), mean power output (P=0.17), or sit-ups (P=0.71). VO2peak (P<0.001) and push-ups (P=0.01) increased across both groups after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Captains maintained cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and anaerobic power after 5 months regardless of PRT being mandated or not. Participants may have had freedom to perform exercise they found enjoyable as opposed to being confined to PRT which focuses on strength and endurance, thus leading to increased aerobic capacity. Duties related to the rank and combat experience as well as pressure of rank may influence Captains to maintain their fitness.