The Physical Demands of Parachute Regiment Training

Abstract

1779 The 24-week Combined Infantryman's Course (CIC) for Parachute Regiment (Para) recruits is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding courses in the British Army. First time pass-out rates average 35%, suggesting a mismatch between the capability of the recruit and the requirements imposed by the course. PURPOSE: To assess the physical demands of CIC Para. METHODS: One platoon (N = 50) was monitored over 5 separate data collection periods (35 days in total) throughout the course (weeks 1–2, 5, 9, 15 and 19–20). Energy expenditure (doubly labelled water), physical activity (3-dimensional accelerometers) and cardiovascular strain (% heart rate reserve; %HRR) were measured. RESULTS: Energy expenditure measured during weeks 1–2 was not different from weeks 19–20 (18.34 ± 2.12 vs. 19.05 ± 2.30 MJ.d- 1, p = 0.44), but ∼10% higher than line infantry. When expressed as physical activity levels using estimated basal metabolic rate (2.45 ± 0.17 vs. 2.45 ± 0.11, p = 0.99), 8 recruits were above 2.50 in weeks 1–2, the threshold suggested as an upper limit for maintaining energy balance. There was no overall progression in both the levels of physiological stress imposed by CIC Para (physical activity counts; PAC) and resultant cardiovascular strain during the first 1–9 weeks of training. When 5 day average PAC were expressed as a percentage of week 1–2, they were similar in weeks 5, 9 and 19–20 (−8%, −10% and 26%), but greater in week 15 (32%, p<0.05). The 5 day average %HRR for week 1–2 (31.6 ± 2.5%) was not different from week 5 (30.2 ± 4.8%) or week 9 (32.2 ± 5.0%). However, these three periods were lower than in week 19–20 (36.2 ± 5.3%, p<0.05). The 18 recruits that successfully completed training had a very small estimated energy deficit of 0.13 MJ.d−1, with a 3.2 ± 2.4 kg increase in fat free mass (p<0.01) and a 2.4 ± 4.6 kg decrease in fat mass (p = 0.19). CONCLUSION: There is a mismatch between the physical demands of training and the physical capabilities of some recruits. A more progressive approach to training, especially during the early weeks of CIC Para may expedite the delivery to the field army the required number of personnel to the required standard. This work was sponsored by the UK Ministry of Defence (Army).