Locomotor Physical Activity During United States Army Basic Combat Training

Abstract

PURPOSE Digital electronic pedometers (Yamax Digiwalker SW-200) were used to survey locomotor physical activity during an entire 9-week U.S. Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) cycle. METHODS Pedometers were worn on the hips of 4 trainees in each of 10 BCT companies during all BCT activities. Pedometer readings (steps) were recorded by the investigators on a daily basis and travel distances were estimated by multiplying steps by average step length measured for each participant. If a trainee forgot to wear the pedometer at any point in the day, did not train with their company during the entire day (determined by a questionnaire), or had a lost or broken pedometer, that reading was not included for that day. RESULTS Of the 2,440 pedometer-days (4 pedometers/ company, 10 companies, 61 days), there were 2,038 pedometer-days with acceptable readings (84%). Trainees performed an average±SD of 16,311±5,826 steps/day and traveled an estimated 11.7±4.4 km/day. Men ambulated 4% more than women (16,662±6,347 vs. 15,916±5,065, p < 0.01). The highest daily locomotor activity was recorded during a 3-day field training exercise in which trainees took an average±SD of 22,372±12,517 steps/day, traveling 16.2±9.7 km/day. There were differences in locomotor physical activity among the 10 companies ranging from 14,720±6,649 steps/day in one company to 18,729±6,328 steps/day in another (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This survey provided the first examination of ambulatory physical activity during an entire BCT cycle and quantifies the amount of locomotor physical activity performed.