The effects of 6 weeks training on the physical fitness of female recruits to the British army

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of British army recruit training on the physical fitness and strength of female recruits. A total of 73 females (aged 17–23 years) of a single intake of Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) recruits were tested at the beginning and end of their 6-week recruit training programme at the WRAC training centre, Guildford. The battery of tests comprised the maximal cycle time for a standard NATO test as an indirect method. of determination of maximal oxygen intake (VO2 max) using a cycle ergometer; maximal isometric hand grip strength (Max Grip); maximal isometric 38cm upright pull strength (Max 38) and maximal incremental dynamic lift to 152cm (IDL 152). In addition, body-weight and the sum of biceps, triceps, suprailiac and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured in order to assess alterations in fat-free mass and percentage of body fat (BF). The recruits responded to training with significant increases in mean VO2 max from 45⋅7mlkg-1 min-1 (SD = 5.2) to 46⋅7 mlkg-1 min-1 (SD 4⋅4) or 2⋅2% (p < ⋅05), mean Max Grip from 263⋅1N (SD = 52⋅2) to 304⋅9N (SD = 54⋅0) or 15.9% (p < 0⋅001) and mean IDL 152 from 328⋅0 N (SD = 78⋅1) to 361⋅2 N (SD = 74⋅6) or 10⋅1% (p < 0⋅001). There was a significant increase in the mean body-weight of 0⋅61kg or 1% (p < 0⋅05) mean fat-free mass of 1⋅05kg or 2⋅4% (p < 0⋅001, and a significant reduction in the mean % BF by 3.3% (p < 0⋅001). It is concluded that female recruit training in the British army is effective in terms of increasing aerobic fitness, physical strength and fat-free mass and in reducing the percentage of body fat.