The Stability And Utility Of A Simulated Casualty Evacuation Assessment In United States Service Academy Men

Abstract

Casualty evacuation is a critical task with no adjustment made to body size, fitness, etc. PURPOSE: Create a user-friendly, field-centric, simulated casualty evacuation test (SCET) which supports a comprehensive combat fitness assessment. METHODS: Male (n=20) U.S. service academy, college-age students were tested during an all-out effort, supervised field environment SCET {400 meter run, immediately followed by a 100-meter 45.5 kg dummy carry (100-MDC)}. Additionally, 5 fitness parameters were also tested {3 Mile Run (3MR) and repetitions in the following: Bench Press (79.5 kg, BP), Cadence Pull-ups, Back Squats (102.3 kg, SQ) and Ankles to the Bar (ATB)}. Subjects performed to the best of their abilities with a partial academic grade based on effort. Standardization of attire (SCET only) was mandated to include: combat boots, Army-Combat Uniform (ACU), dummy weapon (3.2 kg), and Body Armor (BA; 8.5 kg).TableRESULTS: Multiple regression revealed Body Weight (BW) and SQ offered the most potent prediction (adj R2 =.47) to the SCET; both variables were independently significant, while 3MR performance added little to SCET predictability. Further, 100-MDC was the most potent influence on total SCET time (adj R2 =.90). CONCLUSIONS: Performance on a field-centric, 400 meter run followed by a 100 meter 45.5 kg dummy carry is influenced significantly via BM, 102.3 kg SQ performance and overall 100-MDC. Several factors are influential in a SCET in service academy men. Notably, the 3MR was the least significant contributor. Since most military tests don't examine lower body MS, the SCET offers potential in identifying attributes (different than health/fitness parameters) which are necessary for the critical task of military casualty evacuation.