•  
  •  
 

Abstract

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is a newly developed test that assesses the combat readiness of U.S. Army soldiers. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) characteristics vary between soldiers and have the ability to affect performance outcomes. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine if VO2max can predict performance outcomes of the ACFT in ROTC cadets. Methods: ROTC cadets (44 males, 15 females; aged 21.06 ± 3.6 years) completed the 6-event ACFT (3-repetition maximum trap-bar deadlift [MDL], standing power toss [SPT], hand-release pushups [HRPU], sprint-drag-carry shuttle run [SDC], plank [PLK], and 2-mile run [2MR]). The cadets were invited into the laboratory to conduct a maximal treadmill running test following the Bruce protocol. The ability for VO2max (mL·kg-1·min-1) to predict ACFT performance was determined with a linear regression model. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: VO2max was significantly and positively correlated to MDL (r = .301, p = .018), HRP (r = .525, p < .001), SDC (r = .573, p < .001), PLK (r = .668, p < .001) 2MR (r = .642, p < .001) and overall ACFT score (r = .666, p < .001) except MDL (r = -.021, p = .920), SPT (r = -.173, p = .408), HRP (r = .280, p = .175). VO2max significantly explained 43% (p = .001) of the variance on the total ACFT scores with a beta coefficient of 4.911. Conclusion: There is a gap in the understanding of how VO2max impacts performance in the newly implemented ACFT. VO2max is a predictor of the ACFT total and significantly correlates with the MDL, HRP, SDC, PLK, and 2MR. VO2max did not correlate with the individual event SPT. For every .715 mL·kg-1·min-1 increase in VO2max, ACFT total scores increased by 4.911 points. These findings create the need for further research due to the majority of U.S. Army personnel failing the PLK and 2MR, which can be associated with an insignificant aerobic capacity.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.