Physical Strength and Performance of Moderate Duration Physical Tasks
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated a strong relationship (r= .953) between strength and performance on physically demanding U.S. Navy tasks. The earlier work covered tasks lasting <1 min and limited strength measures to static strength. The relationship might be weaker for longer-lasting tasks that required muscle endurance. The earlier estimate also may have been biased by the omission of other aspects of muscle strength. This study related static and dynamic strength to performance on physical tasks lasting 5 to 15 min to test these hypotheses. As expected the association between static strength and task performance was significantly (p < .001) weaker than in the earlier study (r = .86). Omitted variable bias was indicated by the fact that the regression coefficient relating static strength to performance shrank by 25% (i.e., Beta = .69) when dynamic strength was added to the model. Sound models require systematic sampling on both sides of the ability- performance equation. Incompleteness is especially important when a model is the basis for performance enhancement interventions. In this specific instance, the results suggest that omitted variable bias would lead to a 25% overestimation of program effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 26, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA432131
Entities
People
- Ross R. Vickers
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center