Physical Fitness Profile of Army ROTC Cadets

Abstract

One role of Army Reserved Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) programs is to physically prepare cadets for the demands of a military career. Cadets participate in physical training 3 days per week as part of their military science curriculum. Limited research has been conducted on the fitness level of ROTC cadets; therefore, the purpose of this study was to profile the physical fitness status of a cadre of ROTC cadets. Forty-three cadets (30 men and 13 women) performed Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) assessments (2-mile run, 2-minute maximum push-ups and sit-ups) and clinical assessments of fitness (Bruce protocol Vo(2)max, underwater weighing, and 1 repetition maximum [1RM] bench press tests). Mean +/- standard deviations were calculated to provide the physical fitness profile for each parameter. Male cadets (21 +/- 2.2 years; height 177.4 +/- 6.6 cm; mass 79.2 +/- 9.4 kg) scored 49.6 +/- 6.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) for Vo(2)max, 14.8 +/- 4.2% fat, 86.5 +/- 24.9 kg 1RM bench press, 2-mile run of 13.97 +/- 1.4 minutes, 70.5 +/- 12.8 sit-ups, and 60.2 +/- 13.2 push-ups. Female cadets (20 +/- 2.4 years; height 165.1 +/- 8.0 cm; mass 63.5 +/- 10.0 kg) scored 40.8 +/- 3.9 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) for Vo(2) max, 23.9 +/- 3.8% fat, 35.3 +/- 8.2 kg 1RM bench press, 2-mile run of 17.0 +/- 1.6 minutes, 65.0 +/- 12.9 sit-ups, and 33.3 +/- 11.2 push-ups. The mean scores were above the 83rd percentile on all APFT items and average (percent fat) to above average (Vo(2)max and men's bench press scores) when compared with peer-age and sex-corrected norms. Only the women's bench press score was below average. With the exception of the women's bench press, these ROTC cadets possessed average to above average levels of fitness.

Do Italian fire fighting recruits have an adequate physical fitness profile for fire fighting?

“…The gold standard of dynamic strength is the highest weight that can be lifted (1-RM) and bench-press performances have proved to be significantly correlated to specific fire-fighting performances [36]. In this study only volunteers showed 1RM values comparable to army recruits [40], being slightly above average (around the 60th percentile) for age and gender [41]. On the other hand, the significantly lower values of the novice recruits (between the 40th and 50th percentiles) indicate that they need further training to improve their upper limb strength.…”

The Influence of Corrective Exercises on Functional Movement Screen and Physical Fitness Performance in Army ROTC Cadets

“…Soldiers are required to perform numerous tasks involving an extensive degree of physical effort throughout their military career. [7][8][9][10] While soldiers demonstrate to have a significant amount of both strength and endurance, they often are involuntarily forfeiting efficient movements to perform high level activities specific to their military obligations. Consequently, they are adding fitness to their dysfunction.…”

“…Many resources have established the need for both cardiovascular and muscular strength and endurance to be able to perform specific military tasks successfully. 7,9,10,30 Soldiers are required to be physically fit in order to be able to perform war time duties therefore, the importance of objective measurements of a soldier's physical capacity has constantly been an important concept for the US Army. Currently, the Army only has one standardized measurement to evaluate the physical capabilities for soldiers across the service.…”

“…Scoring is based on sex, age category, and number of repetitions performed or run time. 7,9,10,30,31 Score tables are found on the Department of the Army form 705. 7,9,10,30,31 The personnel recommended for administering the APFT include: an Officer in Charge (OIC) and/or Non-commission Officer in Charge (NCOIC), event supervisor(s), one event scorer for every eight soldiers being tested, a timer and back up timer, and required support personnel.…”

“…7,9,10,30,31 Score tables are found on the Department of the Army form 705. 7,9,10,30,31 The personnel recommended for administering the APFT include: an Officer in Charge (OIC) and/or Non-commission Officer in Charge (NCOIC), event supervisor(s), one event scorer for every eight soldiers being tested, a timer and back up timer, and required support personnel. Of the listed personnel recommended, a minimum of four people are required to administer an APFT: OIC or NCOIC, an event supervisor(s), an event scorer(s), and support personnel.…”