A SINGLE, MULTIMODAL EXERCISE TOLERANCE TEST PREDICTS COMBAT READINESS IN ARMY-ROTC CADETS

Authors

E Kunkel
A Bell
E Wilhite
N Young
A Whitley
M Frits
A Wakeman
B Skola
DA Crawford

Abstract

Eric Kunkel¹, Addison Bell¹, Emily Wilhite¹, Nathaniel Young¹, Allison Whitley¹, Madelyn Frits¹, Amanda Wakeman¹, Blake Skola², & Derek A. Crawford, PhD¹

¹Department of Nutrition, Kinesiology, and Health, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri, ²Military Science and Leadership, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri

Army-ROTC cadets complete a battery of physical tasks to assess combat readiness. Work capacity (i.e., the ability to sustain power output across various task and time domains) has been proposed as a measure of physical fitness generalizing well to successful tactical performance. PURPOSE: We sought to design and validate a single, multimodal exercise tolerance test (METT) for predicting performance on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). METHODS: Employing the Instrument Development Process we conceptualized, constructed, and optimized the METT. Then, within the same week, 55 cadets (height = 68.9 ± 3.6 in.; weight = 170.6 ± 31.1 lbs; 27% female) completed the METT and the ACFT. Individual component and total test times observed during the METT were recorded as independent variables while component and composite (i.e., average component z-score) ACFT performance were dependent variables. Cadets’ combat readiness was classified as “pass” / “at-risk” using ≥ three components scored in the 60^th percentile or below on the ACFT as a criterion. RESULTS: At least one METT component significantly correlates with each component of the ACFT (r = 0.266-0.666; p < 0.05). Total time to complete the METT and sex significantly predict composite performance on the ACFT (F_2,55 = 10.67, p < .001). Logistic regression produced METT cut-off scores (546 ± 2.8 sec for males, 583 ± 2.8 sec for females) capable of accurately classifying cadets who are either at-risk of or failing the ACFT (x²_2,55 = 8.16; p = .01). CONCLUSION: The METT can be a time-efficient alternative to the ACFT for determining combat readiness.

Recommended Citation

Kunkel, E; Bell, A; Wilhite, E; Young, N; Whitley, A; Frits, M; Wakeman, A; Skola, B; and Crawford, DA (2024) "A SINGLE, MULTIMODAL EXERCISE TOLERANCE TEST PREDICTS COMBAT READINESS IN ARMY-ROTC CADETS," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 11: Iss. 11, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol11/iss11/2