Aerobic Fitness Outperforms Body Composition in Predicting ACFT Scores Among ROTC Cadets and Active Military Personnel

Authors

Megan Bratetic, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Jake Laufenberg, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Kaitlyn Wabakken, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Anthony AcevedoFollow
Spencer Posey SGTFollow
Zachary ZeiglerFollow

Abstract

The use of body composition to determine readiness for military engagement has been contentious. Body composition is just one of many variables that may impact a soldier's readiness to serve. Aerobic capacity also predicts ACFT scores. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine if high aerobic fitness is a better predictor of ACFT scores in ROTC cadets and active military than body composition. METHODS: ROTC and active military cadets completed the 6-event ACFT (3-repetition maximum trap-bar deadlift, standing power toss, hand-release pushups, sprint-drag-carry shuttle run, plank, and 2-mile run. The cadets were invited into the laboratory to conduct a maximal treadmill running test following the Bruce protocol. Hierarchal regression was run to determine if body fat (%) predicts ACFT score after controlling for VO₂ peak. Additionally, quartiles for body fat (%) and VO₂ peak were created to determine if group differences and interaction for ACFT scores are present. RESULTS: 95 active military (n=43) and ROTC (n=54) completed the study. The average age was 23.4 ± 4.9 yr. with average VO₂ peak at 49.6 ± 9.8 ml.kg^-1.min^-1. Hierarchal regression with VO₂ peak entered in the first block, VO₂ peak significantly explained 21% of the variance on ACFT (p < .001). Model two kept VO₂ peak in the first block and added bodyfat (5) into the second block. This model did not have a significant f-change (p = .517). When examining quartile differences, there were significant body fat (%) (p = .010) and VO₂ peak (p = .004) group differences on ACFT score such that lower body fat and higher VO₂ peak had higher scores. There was a significant interaction between body fat (%) and VO₂ peak (p = .032). When selecting only participants who had a VO₂ peak above the 50^th percentile, there is no difference between bodyfat (%) categories and ACFT scores (p=.248). CONCLUSION: It may be more important to focus military training on increasing aerobic fitness than reducing body fat.

Recommended Citation

Bratetic, Megan; Laufenberg, Jake; Wabakken, Kaitlyn; Acevedo, Anthony; Posey, Spencer SGT; and Zeigler, Zachary (2024) "Aerobic Fitness Outperforms Body Composition in Predicting ACFT Scores Among ROTC Cadets and Active Military Personnel," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 54.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/54