Gender And Physical Training Effects On Australian Soldier Physical Competencies

Abstract

PURPOSE This study sought to establish whether given sufficient physical training, females could complete an infantry-based task at an equivalent level to their male counterparts. METHODS The Australian Army has a combat fitness assessment which comprises a 15km march at 5.5km/hr, followed a run-dodge-jump (RDJ) activity. All soldiers in the study (35 males and 28 females) carried a weight of 34.6 kg during the march activity, with this weight being based on the minimum requirement for a 3 day patrol activity. Webbing and rifle (12kg) was carried when performing the RDJ. A baseline assessment was conducted in August. Study participants were then divided into a control group and a special training group (STG) who undertook a specialised 12 week physical training program before performing another assessment in November. RESULTS Baseline assessments showed that males exhibited greater aerobic and anaerobic capacities as well as increased muscle strength and endurance compared to the females. All males could complete the RDJ in the rested state, prior to the march, but only 43% of females could complete the activity. 91% of males completed the 15km march within the allotted 168 mins, while only 36% of females completed within time. The specialised physical training improved strength and aerobic capacity in the women, but only strength in the males. The between gender differences remained. These objective improvements did not translate into significant functional improvements in the infantry-based task. Only one of the women in the specialised training group was able to complete the RDJ folowing the 15 km march in November. Heat stress was also noted be be higher in November (WGBT 26C vs 19C) and is likely to have had an impact on functional performance. A significant disparity was also noted between the aerobic standards required in the basic fitness fitness test (2.4 km run) and the aerobic capacity required for weighted pack marching. CONCLUSIONS Despite specialised physical training it is likely that only a very small number of female soldiers are physically able to complete infantry related tasks at the same performance level as current infantry soldiers. The aerobic standards used in basic fitness assessments need to be more closely aligned to the aerobic demands of infantry activities.