Physical Fitness of Soldiers Entering and Leaving Basic Combat Training

Abstract

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Secular Trends in the Physical Fitness of American Youth, Young Adults and Army Recruits

“…However, they are the best available data on recruit fitness. Sharp et al (124,125) have performed a similar analysis of secular changes in the fitness of recruits.…”

“…BCT was 8 weeks long prior to October 1998 and extended to 9 weeks after this time. Table 23 shows three studies (108,124,138) that have examined VOamax before and after Army basic training at three different times. Note that "Post-Basic" in this and subsequent tables actually means the sixth or seventh week of BCT.…”

“…An initial load of 18 kg was progressively increased until the maximal load the recmit could lift safely to the 152 cm height was determined using a 1 repetition maximum procedure (129). Table 25 shows 5 studies (27,79,124,129,141) that have examined the 4 measures of muscle strength before and near the end of Army BCT. Changes from preto post-BCT tend to be greater in 1978 and 1983 compared to changes in 1998.…”

“…BMI was calculated from height and weight in all studies. Most studies (61,79,124,129,141)'' on body fat have carefully obtained skinfolds and have estimated body fat using the equations of Durnin and Womersley (31). In several studies (14,61,62,112) body fat was estimated from circumferences using the Army equations (137)*^.…”

“…Table 29 shows historical data compiled by Friedl (42) on weight and body composition of soldiers going back to the Civil War. Added to this are previously unpublished data collected most recently at Ft Jackson, SC among basic trainees (124,125). The 1864 sample Is obtained from active duty soldiers but it is not clear exactly who the 1919 and 1946 samples involved.…”