PHYSICAL FITNESS PROFILE OF ROTC CADETS

Abstract

One role of the ROTC Program is to physically prepare cadets for the demands of a military career. Cadets participate in physical training 3 days per week as part of their military science curriculum. Limited research has been conducted on the fitness level of ROTC cadets. PURPOSE Profile the physical fitness status of a group of experienced ROTC cadets. METHOD Forty-three cadets (30 men and 13 women) performed military physical fitness (APFT) assessments (2-mile run, 2-minute max push-ups and sit-ups) and clinical assessments of fitness (Bruce protocol VO2max, underwater weighing, 1-RM, and 70% 1-RM bench press tests). RESULTS Male cadets (21 ± 2.2 y; Ht: 177.4 ± 6.6 cm; Mass: 79.2 ± 9.4 kg) scored 49.6 ± 6.1 ml . kg −1.min−1 for VO2max, 14.8 ± 4.2 percent fat, 86.5 ± 24.9 kg 1-RM bench press, 13.7 ± 2.2 reps at 70% 1-RM, 2-mile run of 13.97 ± 1.4 minutes, 70.5 ± 12.8 sit-ups and 60.2 ± 13.2 push-ups. Female cadets (20 ± 2.4 y; Ht: 165.1 ± 8.0 cm; Mass: 63.5 ± 10.0 kg) scored 40.8 ± 3.9 ml . kg−1. min−1 for VO2max, 23.9 ± 3.8 percent fat, 35.3 ± 8.2 kg 1-RM bench press, 15.3 ± 3.9 reps at 70% 1-RM, 2-mile run of 17.0 ± 1.6 minutes, 65.0 ± 12.9 sit-ups and 33.3 ± 11.2 push-ups. The mean scores were above the 83rd percentile on all APFT items, and average (percent fat) to above average (VO2max and bench press scores) when compared to peer age and gender corrected norms. CONCLUSION ROTC cadets possess above average levels of fitness.