Army Physical Training Research Articles

Effects of 8 Weeks Conditioning Exercises on Muscular Endurance: A Cross-Sectional Study of Female Cadets of Ghana Immigration Service Academy, Assin Fosu, Ghana

Physical conditioning enables athletes to meet all the physical requirements of their sport, perform well, and minimize their risk of injury. This study aims to determine the effects of eight (8) weeks conditioning training on the muscular endurance of Female Cadets of the Ghana Immigration Service Academy. The Army Physical Training Fitness Test (APFT) was used to evaluate muscular endurance levels of the Female Cadets. The quasi-experimental pre-test post-test study design was used to conduct the study. A total of 60 female cadets were randomly stratified into two groups based on APFT age categories (22-26) and (27-31) years. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test was used to test the hypothesis. Higher upper body muscular endurance performance as measured by the APFT was observed in the age group (27-31) years compared to age group (22-26) years. Significant difference was found in muscular endurance in the females age groups (22-26) and (27-31) years (P<0.05). Significant positive effect on muscular endurance after conditioning exercises for female Cadets in both age categories, (22-26) and (27-31) years (P<0.05) was observed. Conditioning exercises had a significant impact on APFT upper body muscular endurance performance in the age categories of (22-26) and (27-31) years.

O Projeto João do Pulo no Centro de Capacitação Física do Exército (CCFEx) – Experiências iniciais de um núcleo piloto

Introdução: Em 2015, o Ministério da Defesa instituiu um projeto para promover a valorização pessoal e a integração social de militares com deficiência a partir da prática esportiva. Foram estabelecidos quatro núcleos piloto nas três Forças: Marinha, Exército e Aeronáutica, para iniciar o processo e, posteriormente, apoiar novos núcleos.
 Objetivo: Apresentar e comentar, em linhas gerais, as propostas do Projeto João do Pulo (PJP) e as experiências iniciais de sua implantação no Centro de Capacitação Física do Exército (CCFEx).
 Conclusão: O PJP no CCFEx conta com uma equipe composta por: gerente, coordenador técnico científico, profissionais de saúde (do próprio centro e de instituições parceiras) para monitoramento da saúde, planejamento e execução dos treinamentos físicos e desportivos. A infraestrutura física do CCFEx dispõe de sala de musculação, pista de atletismo, ginásio e laboratórios de pesquisa científica da Escola de Educação Física do Exército (EsEFEx), e do Instituto de Pesquisa da Capacitação Física do Exército (IPCFEx), organizações militares subordinadas ao CCFEx, que complementam as avaliações de saúde dos participantes. As parcerias formadas com instituições que já trabalham com a prática esportiva para pessoas com deficiência têm sido de grande importância para a condução do projeto. Em consonância com os objetivos do Ministério da Defesa para o PJP, espera-se que outras organizações militares do Brasil sejam voluntárias para implementar o PJP, preservando os objetivos primários do projeto e considerando a importância do monitoramento da saúde e do bem-estar dos participantes, bem como, a relevância da realização de parcerias locais, a fim de vencer eventuais obstáculos à sua realização no que se refere à infraestrutura disponível em cada organização militar.

Fitness and Performance Responses to Load Carriage Specific Training in Reserved Officers Training Corps

BackgroundThe University of Oklahoma Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) competes in a 26.2‐mile load‐carriage event entitled the Bataan Memorial Death March. Command has been dissatisfied with their performance in previous years and has decided to implement a specific load carriage training protocol for cadets competing in the march. While previous work has indicated that load‐carriage programs can improve load carriage performance, it is unclear how this additional training affects indices of physical fitness and performance beyond the standard physical training of military personnel.AimsTo assess how a load carriage specific training protocol affects performance at the annual Bataan Memorial Death March and to identify which physiological indices that may be altered by this training.Methods16 ROTC cadets (n = 8 males, 8 females) were examined. Command placed 8 cadets (n= 4 males, 4 females) scheduled to compete in the Bataan March in an 8‐week load carriage training protocol (LC), while the remaining 8 cadets (n=4 males, 4 females) completed an 8‐week standard Army Physical Training program (PT). Aerobic fitness and muscular endurance were assessed by the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), consisting of a two‐mile run, number of pushups and sit‐ups in two minutes. Body composition was assessed by skinfold (SKF) measurements, and neuromuscular indices included concentric and eccentric mean power (EMP, CMP) and jump height (JH). These metrics were measured utilizing the countermovement jump (CMJ) on a dual‐cell force plate. Body composition and neuromuscular assessments were conducted pre‐training and 3 days post‐performance of a 26.2‐mile load carriage event at 5 km elevation. APFT assessments were conducted prior to and post‐training protocol.ResultsChange (Δ) pre‐to‐post training ± SD. Load carriage performance improved from the previous year (Δ−84 min, d= 2.47). Two mile run time improved in LC (Δ−28 ± 70s, p= 0.01) and was unchanged in PT (Δ+3 ± 137s, p= 0.40). Despite the large effect size (d= −1.08) change in run time was not different between LC and PT (p=0.07). LC improved number of sit‐ups (Δ+5 ± 5, p= 0.04), but did not alter number of push‐ups (Δ−2 ± 14, p= 0.32) in two minutes. PT did not improve either sit up (Δ+0.5 ± 12, p= 0.40) or push up (Δ−1 ± 22, p= 0.30) performance. LC decreased CMP (Δ−2 ± −1.50 Nm, p= 0.008) and overall JH (Δ−4 ± 1.80 cm, p= 0.025) posttraining. Decline in JH and CMP was not observed in PT (Δ0.60 ± 4 Nm, p= 0.25, Δ0.75 cm ± 0.40 cm, p= 0.30), respectively. No other significant differences in neuromuscular indices were detected. Pre‐post improvements in SKF chest occurred for both groups (LC=Δ−3 ± 0.50 cm, PT=Δ−4 ± −2 cm, p< 0.01).ConclusionLoad carriage specific training improved long‐distance load carriage performance and aerobic fitness, while diminishing JH and CMP. PT has no effect on parameters of aerobic fitness, muscular endurance, and neuromuscular performance. Thus, improvement of load‐carriage performance following a load carriage specific training protocol may be attributed to an increase in aerobic fitness while neuromuscular indices may be attenuated.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Comparison of untrained vs trained soldiers performing the occupational physical assessment test

Purpose: Beginning January 2017, all soldiers entering the US Army must pass the Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) to qualify for their job prior to Initial Entry Training (IET). Because the OPAT was developed using trained soldiers, but will be utilized to test untrained recruits, it is important to determine the effects of military physical training on OPAT performance. The purpose of the study was to compare the scores of recruits (R) to that of trained soldiers (T) in order to determine the effect of non-specific Army physical training on OPAT scores.

Aerobic Conditioning Might Protect Against Liver and Muscle Injury Caused by Short-Term Military Training

This study aimed to compare the biochemical markers of muscle and liver injury and total antioxidant capacity in army cadets after a traditional army physical training program and to correlate these effects with aerobic conditioning. Male army cadets (n = 87; age, 20 ± 2 years) were evaluated 12 hours before the start of training (T0), 12 hours after a 30-km march (T1), and 48 hours after military training (T2). Creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels were measured using an autoanalyzer. Total antioxidant capacity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (Sc%). Seventy-four percent of army cadets were classified as having excellent aerobic conditioning (53.9 ± 3.0 ml · kg(-) · min(-1) predicted VO2max from the Cooper test). The median serum concentration of all enzymes increased 12 hours after marching (T1: CK 675%; ALT 59%; AST 336%; AST/ALT ratio 85%; p = 0.001) and 48 hours after the end of training (T2: CK 878%; ALT 256%; AST 418%; AST/ALT ratio 180%; p = 0.001). Sc% was higher in T2 (31.1 ± 9.8%; p = 0.01) than in T0 (3.4% change). Maximal oxygen consumption (ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) correlated negatively with CK (r = -0.25; p = 0.009) and ALT (r = -0.21; p = 0.03) serum levels, and positively with the change in Sc% (r = 0.22; p = 0.04) at T2. The results indicate that intense military training can cause liver and muscle injury and that aerobic conditioning can be considered as a protective factor for these injuries.

Training Methods and Training Instructors' Qualification Are Related to Recruits' Fitness Development During Basic Military Training.

Adequate physical fitness is essential for successful military service. Military organizations worldwide therefore make continuous efforts to improve their army's physical training (PT) programs. To investigate the effect of the training methods and the qualification of PT instructors on the development of recruits' physical fitness, the present study compared the outcomes of 2 training groups. Both study groups participated in approximately 145 minutes per week of PT. The control group executed the standard army PT prepared and supervised by army PT instructors. Content of the PT in the intervention group was similar to that of the control group, but their training sessions' methods were different. Their training sessions were organized, prepared, and delivered by more and better-qualified supervisors (tertiary-educated physical education teachers). After 10 weeks of training, the participants of the intervention group experienced a significantly greater physical fitness improvement than those of the control group (positive change in endurance 32 and 17%, balance 30 and 21%, and core strength 74 and 45%, respectively). In both groups, the recruits with the lowest initial fitness levels significantly increased their performance. In the intervention group, but not the control, one-third of the recruits with the highest initial fitness levels were able to further improve their general fitness performance. This study demonstrates that the training methods and quality of instruction during PT sessions are relevant for recruits' fitness development in basic military training.

Effect of Specific Short-Term Physical Training on Fitness Measures in Conditioned Men

Physical training programs that enhance battlefield-related fitness needs have been increasingly advocated as operational demands on the US military have increased, but few studies have evaluated program effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to compare a novel 7-week physical training program with traditional army physical fitness training in improving the selected measures of physical fitness and military task performance. One hundred and eighty subjects performed a 30-m rush wearing a fighting load, a simulated casualty recovery wearing a fighting load, a 1-repetition maximum bench press, a maximum repetition pull-up test, a medicine ball put, a vertical jump, and a T-test agility drill to establish test-retest reliability and normative reference values. One hundred thirty-three subjects were assigned by block randomization to either traditional Army physical training (TT) of calisthenics and running or a novel program (NT) of calisthenics, resistance, aerobic, speed, power, and agility training. The results indicated that between-day reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] 3,1; 0.87-0.98) for all measures except for the casualty recovery (ICC 3,1; 0.67). Reliability improved for all the measures that were averaged over 3 trials (ICC 3,3; 0.93-0.95). The NT was superior to TT in improving bench press (8 vs. 3%; p < 0.01), medicine ball put (7 vs. 1%; p < 0.01), 30-m rush times (5 vs. 1%; p < 0.01), and casualty recovery times (17 vs. -15%; p < 0.01). These findings suggest that a short-term physical training program is effective in improving strength, power, and speed among previously conditioned men. Future studies should determine if similar training programs mitigate the injury risk in this population.

Disparities among Greek Army Units due to Physical Training Instructor’s Competency Influencing the Organizational Efficiency of the Army Physical Training

There has been no systematic measurement of the parameters affecting the organization’s efficiency of the physical training of the Hellenic Army’s Physical Training (APT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the competency of the five different types of “Physical Training (PT) Instructor” within the Hellenic Army Units Training Cycles (HAUTCs), which influences the APT program’s organizational efficiency in the Hellenic Armed (HA) forces. Two thousands eight hundred sixty four (2864) survey questionnaires (5 point Likert type scale) were selected. Participants came from a wide spectrum of Greek Permanent Army Personnel in HA. Five (5) different types of the PT Instructors were tested, measured along three (3) dimensions (a) contribution to implementation, (b) frequency of implementation and (c) effectiveness/adequacy of implementation, which evaluate their competency in performance of APT programs (15 dependent variables). ΑΝΟVA and Bonferroni post comparisons were calculated for the total of the dependent variables among the three HAUTCs (A΄, Β΄ and C΄) (3 independent variables). The probability of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The results showed that the “Officer” (OFC) contributes, applies and suffices the APT programs mainly in HAUTCs A΄ and B΄, whereas “Permanent Commissioned Officer” (PCOF) applies APT programs more often in HAUTC C΄. In HAUTCs B΄ and C΄ the “Physical Education Graduate” (PEG) seems more capable, efficient, and suitable when ordered to perform the PT programs. The results evaluated the duty of the PT Instructors’ competency according to HAUTCs’ requirements and introduce the necessity of its improvement in some cases.

Mission Essential Fitness: Comparison of Functional Circuit Training to Traditional Army Physical Training for Active Duty Military

Appropriate and effective physical fitness training is imperative for soldier survival and mission success. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Mission Essential Fitness (MEF) circuit-style training program compared to standard Army Physical Readiness Training (APRT) on fitness, physiological, and body composition changes. Active duty Army personnel were randomly assigned to two groups (MEF = 34 or APRT = 33) for 8 weeks of training (15 sessions each). The MEF program included functional movements focused on strength, power, speed, and agility. Fifteen exercises were performed continuously for 60 to 90 seconds for 45 minutes. Baseline and post-test measures included the Army physical fitness test, physiological indicators, body composition, and additional fitness indicators. One-way analysis of covariance models indicated that MEF participants significantly increased their push-ups (p = 0.033), bench press (p = 0.001), and flexibility (p = 0.003) and significantly decreased their 2-mile run (p = 0.003) and step test heart rate (p = 0.004) compared to participants doing APRT. Both groups maintained body composition (p > 0.05) and reported no injuries. The MEF training program safely improved muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility, supporting functional fitness circuit-style exercise training for military personnel.

Effects of Sit-up Training versus Core Stabilization Exercises on Sit-up Performance

Core stabilization exercises target abdominal and trunk muscles without the excessive loading that occurs during sit-ups. However, core stabilization exercise programs (CSEP) have not been widely adopted in the US Army partially because of the perceived deleterious impact they would have on performance during the Army Physical Fitness Test. The purpose was to determine whether performing CSEP in lieu of sit-ups during unit physical training would have detrimental effects on sit-up performance and passing rates on the fitness test. Soldiers (N = 2616) between 18 and 35 yr of age were randomized to receive a traditional exercise program (TEP) with sit-ups or CSEP. Subjects with a previous history of low back pain or other injury precluding participation in training were excluded. The training programs were completed four times per week for 12 wk. Performance was assessed at baseline and after 12 wk. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in sit-up performance and overall fitness scores over time (P < 0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in overall fitness scores (P = 0.142) or sit-up performance (P = 0.543). However, CSEP resulted in a significant improvement in sit-up passing rates by 5.6% compared with 3.9% for the TEP group (P = 0.004). CSEP did not have a detrimental impact on sit-up performance or overall fitness scores or pass rates. There was a small but significantly greater increase in sit-up pass rate in the CSEP (5.6%) versus the TEP group (3.9%). Incorporating CSEP into Army physical training does not increase the risk of suboptimal performance on the Army's fitness test and may offer a small benefit for improving sit-up performance.

United States Army Physical Readiness Training: Rationale and Evaluation of the Physical Training Doctrine

This paper reviews the rationale and evaluations of Physical Readiness Training (PRT), the new U.S. Army physical training doctrine designed to improve soldiers' physical capability for military operations. The purposes of PRT are to improve physical fitness, prevent injuries, progressively train soldiers, and develop soldiers' self-confidence and discipline. The PRT follows the principles of progressive overload, regularity, specificity, precision, variety, and balance. Specificity was achieved by examining the standard list of military (warrior) tasks and determining 1) the physical requirements, 2) the fitness components involved, and 3) the training activities that most likely could improve the military tasks. Injury-prevention features include reduced running mileage, exercise variety (cross-training), and gradual, progressive training. In 3 military field studies, the overall adjusted risk of injury was 1.5-1.8 times higher in groups of soldiers performing traditional military physical training programs when compared with groups using a PRT program. Scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test were similar or higher in groups using PRT programs. In an 8-week laboratory study comparing PRT with a weightlifting/running program, both programs resulted in major improvements in militarily relevant tasks (e.g., 3.2-km walk/run with 32-kg load, 400-m run with 18-kg load, 5- to 30-second rushes to and from prone position, 80-kg casualty drag, obstacle course). When compared with traditional military physical training programs, PRT consistently resulted in fewer injuries and in equal or greater improvements in fitness and military task performance.

Effects of Two Training Programs on Military Tasks and Physical Fitness in Infantry Soldiers

The effectiveness of Army physical training at improving military task performance has not been established. PURPOSE: To compare traditional Army physical training to a modified 7 wk program in improving physical performance. METHODS: 182 Infantry Soldiers were assigned to either a traditional training (TT) group or a modified training (MT) group. 135 Soldiers completed the study (TT: n=40, 22.7±3.7yr, 78.9±12.0kg, 176.1±7.6cm; MT: n=95, 23.5±5.1yr, 79.7±11.3kg, 176.6±7.3cm). Both groups trained 5 d/wk for 7 wks. The TT group performed calisthenics and running (60–90 min/d). The MT group performed core stability (15 min/d, 4 d/wk), flexibility (15 min/d, up to 5 d/wk), resistance (60 min/d, 2 d/wk) and agility/speed/power (60 min/d, 2 d/wk) exercises, and loaded marching or running (1 d/wk). Variables of interest included: sit & reach (SR), 5 kg medicine ball throw (MB), 1-RM bench press (BP), vertical jump (VJ), agility drill (AD), pull-ups (PU), 30m rushes (30M), and a 50m casualty rescue (CR). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs and Tukey's Post-hoc testing (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There were no baseline group differences. Training resulted in significant improvements in CR, 30M, MB and BP for the MT group only. Time effects were observed for all measures except SR and VJ. Means ± SE reported for both groups pre- and post-training.TableCONCLUSIONS: A modified short-term physical training program positively influenced fitness and military tasks to a greater extent than traditional physical training suggesting that these new exercises should be incorporated into Army training programs. The effects were most pronounced in tasks requiring anaerobic power.

Sports and physical training injury hospitalizations in the Army

Introduction: Injuries are the leading health problem in the military services. Sports and physical training activities are an area in which a substantial number of injuries can occur. Although athletic injuries are not often investigated in military populations, the Armed Forces database provides a unique opportunity to investigate sports injuries. Methods: An Army database of all hospital admissions for active duty Army personnel in the 1989–1994 period was used to study injuries resulting from sports and Army physical training. Results: For the 6-year time period reviewed, there were 13,861 hospital admissions for injuries resulting from sports or Army physical training: 94% (13,020) of these admissions were men and 6% (841) were women. The rates of sports injuries were 38 and 18 per 10,000 person-years for men and women, respectively. Sports injuries accounted for an average of 29,435 lost duty days each year: Men lost an average of 13 days per injury and women lost an average of 11 days per injury. Acute musculoskeletal injuries in the categories of fractures, sprains/strains, and dislocations accounted for 82% of all injuries. The knee was the most often injured body area in both genders, with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) identified as the most frequently injured body part overall. The top seven injuries were virtually identical for men and women, with only slight variations in order. Although the rates of all hospitalized sports injuries were higher for men than women, women had a higher proportion of ACL injuries from basketball and softball, ankle fractures from softball and head injuries from basketball. For men, football and basketball contributed to the highest rates of injuries. The highest injury rates for women were from Army physical training and basketball. For both men and women, Army physical training was the leading cause of lumbosacral strains. Conclusions: Sports and Army physical training injuries account for a significant amount of lost duty time and impact military readiness.

Intrinsic risk factors for exercise-related injuries among male and female army trainees.

Physical training-related injuries are common among army recruits and other vigorously active populations, but little is known about their causation. To identify intrinsic risk factors, we prospectively measured 391 army trainees. For 8 weeks of basic training, 124 men and 186 women (79.3%) were studied. They answered questionnaires on past activities and sports participation, and were measured for height, weight, and body fat percentage; 71% of the subjects took an initial army physical training test. Women had a significantly higher incidence of time-loss injuries than men, 44.6% compared with 29.0%. During training, more time-loss injuries occurred among the 50% of the men who were slower on the mile run, 29.0% versus 0.0%. Slower women were likewise at greater risk than faster ones, 38.2% versus 18.5%. Men with histories of inactivity and with higher body mass index were at greater injury risk than other men, as were the shortest women. We conclude that female gender and low aerobic fitness measured by run times are risk factors for training injuries in army trainees, and that other factors such as prior activity levels and stature may affect men and women differently.

Musculoskeletal Injuries Associated with Army Physical Training

Musculoskeletal Injuries Associated with Army Physical Training

Obligate Mouth Breathing during Exercise: Nasal and Laryngeal Sarcoidosis

A young black man presented with simultaneous nasal and laryngeal sarcoidosis, each uncommon entities. Despite severe upper airway obstruction and emergent tracheostomy, there was an uncharacteristic rapid response to oral steroids alone. The patient's predominant initial complaint of early mouth breathing during routine army physical training demonstrates a symptom complex and an alternate mechanism of dyspnea to consider in sarcoidosis.

The Army Physical Training Corps Centenary: 1860–1960

The Army Physical Training Corps Centenary: 1860–1960