The Fitness Training Unit in U.S. Army Basic Combat Training: Physical Fitness, Training Outcomes, and Injuries
Abstract
This study involved a retrospective examination of physical fitness, training outcomes, and injury rates among personnel: in the Fitness Training Unit (Fm). Personnel were assigned to the flu based on low performance on push-ups, sit-ups and/or a 1-mile run (N = 44 men, 95 women) and received au augmented physical fitness program before basic combat training (BCT). They were compared with 712 men and 379 women who took the same test but were not assigned to the flu and went directly to BCT. flu and non-flu personnel trained in the same battalions. Army Physical Fitness Test scores and BCT outcomes (discharged or completed BCT in 8 weeks) were obtained from unit training records. Injuries during BCT were documented from a review of the medical records. On entry to BCT, flu women had similar 2-mile run times compared with non-flu women (21.6 vs. 21.5 minutes, respectively; p = 0.86); flu men were considerably slower on the 2-mile run than non-flu men (20.3 vs. 17.3 minutes; p < 0.01). flu women and non-flu women had similar graduation success (60% vs. 68%, respectively; p = 0.14) and time-loss injury rates (1.3 vs. 1.4 people injured/100 person-days, respectively; p = 0.90). flu men were less likely to graduate than non-flu men (55% vs. 82%; p < 0.01) and more likely to suffer a time-loss injury (1.2 vs. 0.7 people injured/100 person- days; p < 0.01). Efforts should be directed toward providing a sufficient training stimulus to improve the aerobic fitness level of men (as well as women) in the flu.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA400610
Entities
People
- Edward Hoedebecke
- Joseph J Knapik
- Keith Hauret
- Michelle Canham-chervak
- William C. Hewitson
Organizations
- United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine