Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this' collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, This study examined the effectiveness of basic combat training (BCT) in improving the physical fitness of incoming soldiers and compared the physical fitness and trainability of current trainees to those measured in previous years. 350 soldiers (182 men and 168 women) were recruited from those entering two BCT battalions at the Ft Jackson Reception Station during May 1-14, 1998. Volunteers performed the following procedures before BCT: 1) continuous uphill treadmill running test of peak oxygen uptake (V02peak); 2) one-repetition maximum (1-RM) isometric strength test of the lower body, uppertorso and upright pulling strength; 3) 1-RM test of dynamic lifting strength; 4) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) assessment of body composition; 5) anthropometric measurements (skinfolds and circumferences); 6) vertical jump; 7) photometric measurement of limb length and joint diameters; and 8) joint mobility measures. A subset (99 men and 101 women) of the original 350 soldiers were tested on procedures 1-6 during the last week of BCT. The mean + SD age, height and body mass pre-BCT for men was 21.8 + 3.4 yrs, 176.5 + 7.0 cm, and 78.9 + 12.8 kg and for women was 21.4 + 3.4 yrs, 163.0 + 6.1 cm and 63.6 + 9.8 kg. The pre-BCT V02peak of men was equivalent to that seen in previous years while "that of women was higher than those tested 20 years ago (p<0.05). V02peak increased following BCT (3.6% in men and 6.3% in women). Although only lower body strength increased with training, the strength of todays recruits was comparable to, or greater than, the strength of recruits measured 15-20 years ago. Women lost 3% body fat (%BF) and gained 2.5 kg of FFM. Men lost 2%BF and gained 0.8 kg FFM. The body mass of men measured in 1998 was significantly greater pre-and post-BCT than men measured 15-20 years ago. Pre-BCT, the women measured in 1998 had more body mass than women measured 15-20 years ago (9,20), but there was no difference post-BCT. In conclusion: 1) BCT resulted in improvements in aerobic capacity and body composition; 2) increases in muscle strength were minimal; 3) while body mass and %BF are higher now, aerobic capacity, muscle strength and FFM of today's trainees was comparable to, or better than trainees 15-20 years ago.
SUBJECT TERMS
LIST OF FIGURES1. Pre-BCT frequency distribution for V0 2 peak (n=326) : 9 2. Frequency distribution of pre-BCT V0 2 peak (ml'kg^min 1 ) by gender 10 3. Pre...