Entry Fitness And Subsequent Physical Performance Change In Recruits Across British Army Basic Training Courses.

Abstract

Soldiers require high levels of fitness to perform physically demanding role-related tasks, such as load carriage and moving equipment. Developing cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular strength through progressive physical training programmes during Basic Training (BT) will support soldiers to perform their duties and reduce musculoskeletal injury risk. PURPOSE: To (1) quantify physical performance changes in recruits undertaking three British Army BT courses; Standard Entry (SE), Junior Entry Short (JE-Short) and Long (JE-Long) and (2) explore differences between courses, men and women, and entry fitness level. METHODS: Performance of 2 km run, medicine ball throw (MBT) and mid-thigh pull (MTP) were assessed at entry and completion of BT (14 [SE]), 23 [JE-Short] or 49 [JE-Long] weeks in duration) for 2350 (272 women) British Army recruits. Performance change was analysed with entry performance as a covariate (ANCOVA), before an additional interaction term allowing different slopes for course and gender. RESULTS: There was high heterogeneity, although BT courses saw average improvements in surrogate tests for cardiovascular endurance (2 km run: SE: -6.8% [-0.62 min], JE-Short: -4.6% [-0.43 min], JE-Long: -7.7% [-0.70 min]; all p < 0.001) and muscular strength and power (MBT: 1.0-8.8% [0.04-0.34 m]; all p < 0.05; MTP: 4.5-26.9% [6.5-28.8 kg]; all p < 0.001). Regression models indicated a form of regression to the mean whereby performance change was negatively associated with entry fitness (those with low baseline fitness exhibit larger improvements), particularly for women. However, when matched for entry fitness, men displayed considerable improvements in all tests, relative to women. CONCLUSIONS: British Army BT courses were effective in developing physical fitness and entry fitness was negatively associated with change over time. Other factors not measured including age and physical maturity could also be contributors to the training response. Individualising physical training may enhance physical fitness development and role-related job-task performance. Funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (Army).