The Potential Role of Functional Motor Competence to Promote Physical Military Readiness: A Developmental Perspective

Anthropometrics Impact Army Combat Fitness Test Performance in Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets

INTRODUCTION

Fitness is a vital component in military success. The Army is in the process of implementing a new assessment for soldier fitness, the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Success on the assessment is a major factor in job assignments and promotional opportunities. This generates questions related to modifiable (i.e., fitness and body composition) and non-modifiable (i.e., limb length and testing equipment) factors impacting performance. Currently, anthropometrics differences in ACFT performance have not been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of anthropometrics on ACFT performance in Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anthropometric measures and ACFT scores were collected from Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets (n = 105, age: 20.4 ± 2.4 years, body mass index: 25.0 ± 2.8 kg/m2, and M/F = 84/21). All ACFT events were evaluated by certified graders. Measurement locations were based on established anthropometric assessment standards and previous research (hand, lower arm, upper arm, upper leg, lower leg, and torso lengths). The study was approved by the Auburn University Institutional Review Board (protocol code #21-410).

RESULTS

There were weak correlations between hand length and three-repetition maximum deadlift [0.393; P ≤ .001], standing power throw [0.399; P ≤ .001], sprint-drag-carry [-0.315; P = .002], and ACFT score [0.212; P = .035]. The lower leg had weak correlations with standing power throw [0.249; P = .013], sprint-drag-carry [-0.215; P = .033], and ACFT score [0.213; P = .034]. Hand and lower leg length impacted individual event performances when comparing shortest and longest limb lengths [all P values <.05].

CONCLUSIONS

Hand and lower leg length significantly impact ACFT performance. These results present practical information to individuals responsible for developing protocols and scoring for the ACFT. Reassessment of events and the equipment utilized are warranted to assure that event performance is not hindered by a non-modifiable factor that is not representative of fitness or occupational demands. Future work should investigate how different trap-bar and kettlebell handle sizes, as well as medicine ball sizes, impact performance on the ACFT.

A Multidimensional Approach to Talent Identification in Youth Volleyball through Declarative Tactical Knowledge and Functional Fitness

This study aimed to assess which multidimensional performance indexes were the best predictors of talent identification in volleyball. Fifty-five female players (age: 13.8 ± 1.81 years; mass: 55.12 ± 8.12 kg; height: 158.23 ± 7.62 cm) were clustered into two groups according to some physical characteristics (i.e., the first group included players with more favorable performance predictors). Musculoskeletal Fitness (MSF), Functional Motor Competence (FMC), and Declarative Tactical Knowledge (DTK) were measured as multidimensional indexes of performance. Moderate-to-large differences between groups were found for each index in favor of the first group. Regression analyses were performed to examine the variance explained by MSF, FMC, and DTK in the two groups. A model with FMC components explained slightly more variance in the group predictor variables (R2 = 0.53) than a model using only MSF components (R2 = 0.45). Among FMC components, the score of the Throw-and-Catch test resulted in the best predictor (Odds Ratio = 1.58) for determining group selection, followed by the score of the Supine-to-Stand-and-Go test (Odds Ratio = 0.02). An additional model composed by MSF and FMC significant predictors (i.e., functional fitness index) and DTK explained 63% of the variance (R2 = 0.63), and these were significant predictors of group membership (Odds Ratio = 6.32 and Odds Ratio = 1.51, respectively). A more comprehensive multidimensional analysis of youth performances is warranted to identify and monitor the best players in a youth volleyball context.

The Functional Movement Screen and Self-reported Injury in Senior Military College Cadets

INTRODUCTION

Secular trend of increasing musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) across all branches of the U.S. Military is a critical limiting factor in the effective and efficient process of preparing military personnel for combat. The need to evaluate functional capacity beyond current physical fitness test (PFT) standards is the key in understanding an individual's risk of noncombat-related injury. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Functional Movement ScreenTM (FMS) scores, incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, and standardized PFT scores among freshman Cadets during their first 10 weeks of enrollment at a senior military college.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-two participants (72 male and 10 female participants; mage: 18.2 years) completed the FMS, an institution-specific PFT (2-min maximum pushups, 2-min maximum abdominal crunches, and 1.5 mile timed run), and an Incidence of Injury and Incidence of Pain Questionnaire. Independent t-tests, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients logistic regression analysis, and Receiver Operator Curves were performed to evaluate relationships between the study variables.

RESULTS

FMS composite and PFT sex-normed total scores were higher in females (16.4, 236.1) than in males (15.0, 204.9). Ninety percent of all females reported injury or pain during the 10-week survey period compared to 48% of males.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant difference between FMS scores and injury and pain was found within both sex groups. Therefore, use of the composite FMS score as an indicator for risk of injury or to predetermine PFT performance is not recommended for this study's population. The rate of incidence of injury or pain in Cadets during a 10-week enrolment period is high. Females outperformed males in the FMS and PFT and reported higher rates of injury and pain. The utility of the FMS may be limited when substantially scaled for implementation across entire military populations. Future research should evaluate performance associations of the FMS with Army Combat Fitness Test components in a population of equally distributed sex and race.

The Relationship Between Functional Motor Competence and Performance on the Army Combat Fitness Test in Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets

INTRODUCTION

The development of functional motor competence (FMC; i.e., neuromuscular coordination and control required to meet a wide range of movement goals) is critical to long-term development of health- and performance-related physical capacities (e.g., muscular strength and power, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance). Secular decline in FMC among U.S. children and adolescents presents current and future challenges for recruiting prospective military personnel to successfully perform the physical demands of military duty. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between FMC and physical military readiness (PMR) in a group of Cadets enrolled in an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets from a southeastern university and a military college in the southeast (females = 22; Mage = 19.5 ± 2.5) volunteered for participation in the study. Cadets performed a battery of eight FMC assessments consisting of locomotor, object projection, and functional coordination tasks. To assess PMR, Cadets performed the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).Values from all FMC assessments were standardized based on the sample and summed to create a composite FMC score. ACFT scores were assigned to Cadets based upon ACFT scoring standards. We used Pearson correlations to assess the relationships between individual FMC assessment raw scores, FMC composite scores, and total ACFT points. We also evaluated the potential impact of FMC on ACFT in the entire sample and within each gender subgroup using hierarchical linear regression. Finally, we implemented a 3 × 2 chi-squared analysis to evaluate the predictive utility of FMC level on pass/fail results on the ACFT by categorizing Cadets' composite FMC score into high (≥75th percentile) moderate (≥25th percentile and <75th percentile), and low (<25th percentile) based on the percentile ranks within the sample. ACFT pass/fail results were determined using ACFT standards, requiring a minimum of 60 points on each the ACFT subtests.

RESULTS

FMC composite scores correlated strongly with total ACFT performance (r = 0.762) with individual FMC tests demonstrating weak-to-strong relationships ACFT performance (r = 0.200-0.769). FMC uniquely accounted for 15% (95% CI: -0.07 to 0.36) of the variance in ACFT scores in females (R2 = 0.516, F2,19 = 10.11, P < 0.001) and 26% (95% CI: 0.09-0.43) in males (R2 = 0.385, F2,65 = 20.37, P < 0.001), respectively, above and beyond the impact of age. The 3 × 2 chi-squared analysis demonstrated 74% of those with low, 28% with moderate, and 17% with high FMC failed the ACFT (χ2 [1, N = 90] = 27.717, V = 0.555, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

FMC composite scores are strongly correlated with ACFT scores, and low levels of FMC were a strong predictor of ACFT failure. These data support the hypothesis that the development of sufficient FMC in childhood and adolescence may be a critical antecedent for PMR. Efforts to improve FMC in children and adolescents may increase PMR of future military recruits.