Predicting Obstacle Course Performance of Women Using Less Complex Physiological and Performance Tests

Abstract

Obstacle courses are used to test the readiness of soldiers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers to meet the physical challenges they are likely to encounter on the battlefield and in other occupational settings. However, obstacle courses are expensive to build and maintain and are not always available. PURPOSE: To predict obstacle course performance from less complex physical performance and physiological tests. METHODS: After 6 rounds of practice to stabilize obstacle course performance, 48 females (mean±SD: age 20.2± 1.85 yrs, height 1.65± 0.07 m, body mass 63.9± 7.01 kg) traversed an 8 station obstacle course (hurdles, cone weave, low crawl, pipe traversal wall, sprint, mantle and stair climb) as quickly as possible (66.1± 8.1 s). Subjects performed a battery of tests including anthropometry, DEXA body composition tests, 2-mile loaded and also unloaded timed runs, a 50 m simulated casualty recovery test and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and squat. Bench press throws and squat jumps with 30% of the subject's 1RM load were performed in which a computer with a compact linear position transducer was used to measure the peak height, velocity and power. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were run using these variables. RESULTS: Body composition and anthropometric variables failed as predictors and the following equation (p<0.001) using maximal 2-mile run for time (min), and the squat jump peak vertical velocity (SJPV, m.s-1) was the best predictor of obstacle course performance. Time(s) = 99.4 - 21.00(SJPV) + 0.795(2 Mile Run Time), R=0.738, R2= 0.544, SEE=5.6 CONCLUSION: The 2-mile run has been shown as a strong predictor of aerobic capacity (Mello,1988), the 1RM squat is an easy, reliable test that can be done with minimal resources and the squat jump peak velocity test, while requiring a computer and a position transducer, can be performed in any weight room. Ironically, anthropometry and body composition variables were poor predictors. It is interesting that an endurance test of 13.8-28.3 min. duration and an explosive jump test are the strongest predictors of a 66.1 s long task. Using simple performance tests for predicting obstacle course performance can help determine the readiness status of workers in physically demanding occupations when a lab or obstacle course is not available.