Investigating the Correlation of the U.S. Air Force Physical Fitness Test to Combat-Based Fitness: A Women-Only Study

Abstract

The primary objective in this research involves determining the Air Force Physical Fitness Test's (AFPFT) predictability of combat fitness and whether measures within the AFPFT require modification to increase this predictability further. We recruited 60 female volunteers and compared their performance on the AFPFT to the Marine Combat Fitness Test, the proxy for combat fitness. We discovered little association between the two (R(2) of 0.35), however, this association significantly increased (adjusted R(2) of 0.56) when utilizing the raw scores of the AFPFT instead of using the gender/age scoring tables. Improving on these associations, we develop and propose a simple ordinary least squares regression model that minimally impacts the AFPFT testing routine. This two-event model for predicting combat fitness incorporates the 1.5-mile run along with the number of repetitions of a 30-lb dumbbell from chest height to overhead with arms extended during a 2-minute time span. These two events predicted combat fitness as assessed by the Marine Combat Fitness Test with an adjusted R(2) of 0.82. By adopting this model, we greatly improve the Air Force's ability to assess combat fitness for women.

Comparison Of United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test And Combat Fitness Test Results

“…Since the implementation and official scoring of the USMC CFT other research and service branches have recognized the need and rationale for a CFT demonstrating that combat-focused training programs can reduce injury risk, overtraining and improve performance on general fitness tests (8,30,33,37). A study involving active duty U.S. Air Force female Airmen compared the results of the USMC CFT with the Air Force Physical Fitness Test (AFPFT) in order to determine if the addition of a CFT may be of value (14). Based on the findings the authors suggest that by adopting some elements of the CFT the U.S. Air Force can greatly improve its ability to assess combat fitness for women Airman (14).…”

“…A study involving active duty U.S. Air Force female Airmen compared the results of the USMC CFT with the Air Force Physical Fitness Test (AFPFT) in order to determine if the addition of a CFT may be of value (14). Based on the findings the authors suggest that by adopting some elements of the CFT the U.S. Air Force can greatly improve its ability to assess combat fitness for women Airman (14). An article by then U.S. Navy Commander David Peterson (30) describes the need and rationale for service-specific CFT/Operational Fitness Test (OFT) and purposed an OFT that could be adopted and employed by the Navy.…”

“…As professional warrior-athletes, every Marine must be physically fit regardless of age, grade, gender or duty assignment (24,25,26,27). Though current USMC PFT and CFT testing parameters are different from when previous studies or articles were written (3,8,13,14,16,30,33,37), information reported previously is useful in understanding why such modifications were made to the PFT and CFT protocols. While the aforementioned studies (3,13) begin the conversation about the USMC PFT and CFT relationship they did not explore correlation data between PFT and CFT events or total scores.…”

Continuous Metabolic Monitoring Based on Multi-Analyte Biomarkers to Predict Exhaustion

“…4b ). These plots incorporate all possible combinations of glucose and lactate and when implemented into standardized exercise routines 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 can provide feedback on the fitness and endurance of the subject. As shown in Fig.…”

The physical fitness test discourse model

“…For example, soldiers in an infantry battalion are exposed to completely different tasks and missions than fighter pilots, whereas the work day of a sailor is yet something else. An important part of this is the call for physical fitness tests that are contextually relevant on an occupational level, as it has been indicated that the relation between performance on some types of general physical fitness tests, and performance on common soldier tasks may be poor (Mitchell, White, & Ritschel, 2014;Spiering et al, 2012;Vanderburgh, Mickley, Anloague, & Lucius, 2011). In addition, it should be noticed that for a number of positions in the armed forces the physical performance demands are very limited.…”