Movement Quality Assessment of Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadets: A Report of Validity and Normative Data

INTRODUCTION

Movement quality screening in early-career military populations, like Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AROTC) cadets, could decrease the negative impact of musculoskeletal injury observed within the military. Movement quality screening techniques should be valid before being pursued in the field. Normative data describing movement quality of AROTC cadets are also needed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine criterion validity of several movement quality assessments and report normative jump-landing kinematics of AROTC cadets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional research was approved by the Institutional Review Board. As part of a larger study, 20 AROTC cadets (21.3 ± 3.4 years; 1.7 ± 0.1 m; 73.8 ± 14.8 kg) had 3-dimensional (3D) and 2-dimensional (2D) kinematic data collected simultaneously while performing a jump-landing task. Variables of interest were 3D hip and knee sagittal, frontal, and transverse joint angles at maximum knee flexion. An experienced rater calculated sagittal and frontal 2D joint angles at maximum knee flexion. Averages of 2D and 3D angles were calculated to describe normative data and for further data analysis. Bivariate correlations between 3D and 2D variables were used to determine criterion validity.

RESULTS

Moderate correlations were found between 2D and 3D hip frontal plane angles (P = .05, r =-0.33), 2D and 3D knee sagittal plane angles (P = .04, r = 0.35), and 2D and 3D knee frontal plane angles (P = .03, r = -0.36). Normative values of knee and hip kinematics demonstrated averages of 17.58° of knee adduction, 16.48° of knee external rotation, 11.57° of hip abduction, 10.76° of hip internal rotation, and 103.47° of knee flexion during landings. However, ranges demonstrated that landing patterns vary within AROTC cadets.

CONCLUSIONS

The normative values of 3D jump-landing kinematic data indicate that movement quality varies greatly within AROTC cadets, and some cadets display potentially injurious movements. Therefore, screening movement quality could be beneficial to determine musculoskeletal injury risk in AROTC cadets. Based on the correlations discovered in this study, we recommend the 2D techniques used in this study be researched further as they may serve as alternatives to expensive, timely 3D techniques that could be better utilized in military environments.

Body Appreciation is Associated with Emotional Eating in Turkish Female Athletes

It is known that female athletes are at risk for eating disorders. It is thought that factors such as pressure and stress experienced by professional athletes may affect emotional eating and body appreciation. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the emotional eating and body appreciation of professional Turkish female athletes. A total of 265 professional female athletes were categorized according to their sport types and nationality. Emotional eating was found to be higher and body appreciation to be lower in athletes competing at the national level. The results of the hierarchical regression analysis, which included variables such as age, body mass index, professional sports background, national level, and sport type show that the most effective factor in explaining emotional eating in professional female athletes is body appreciation. The present study findings support that professional female athletes are at risk in terms of emotional eating and body appreciation. In addition, emotional eating scores were found to be higher and body appreciation scores were lower in national athletes. Psychological factors such as intense stress and pressure have an impact on the eating behavior and body appreciation of national athletes. These results suggest that athletes should be evaluated by nutritionists, doctors, and psychologists from a multidisciplinary perspective.

A Research Note Investigating the Leg Tuck and Plank With Potential Impacts for Occupational Testing

ABSTRACT

Gonzalez, SM, Withrow, KL, Rubin, DA, Lynn, SK, Dawes, JJ, Orr, RM, and Lockie, RG. A research note investigating the leg tuck and plank with potential impacts for occupational testing. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 2076-2079, 2023-The U.S. Army recently replaced the leg tuck with the plank in their physical ability testing. There has been limited analysis of whether these 2 tests correlate, have any relationships with body composition and strength, or are sex-neutral. Forty-nine civilian college students (28 males, 21 females) were recruited as surrogates for tactical personnel. The following were measured: height, body mass, body fat percentage (BF%), and muscle mass percentage (MM%) measured through bioelectrical impedance analysis, grip strength, leg tuck, and plank. Independent t -tests were calculated to determine between-sex differences for all variables ( p < 0.05). Partial correlations controlling for sex were used to compute relationships between the leg tuck, plank, and other variables. Stepwise regression controlling for sex derived predictive relationships for the leg tuck and plank. Males were taller, had greater body mass, MM%, and were superior in grip strength and the leg tuck; females had greater BF%. There were no significant between-sex differences for the plank. The leg tuck correlated with BF%, MM%, grip strength, and the plank ( r = ±0.333-0.524). In addition to the leg tuck, the plank correlated with BF% ( r = -0.288). The leg tuck was predicted by sex, grip strength, and the plank (adjusted r2 = 0.662). No variables predicted the plank. As there were no between-sex differences and sex was not a plank predictor, it appears this test minimized sex differences on task performance in civilians. However, the leg tuck and plank likely measure different qualities; further research is needed on job task relationships.

Army Combat Fitness Test Relationships to Tactical Foot March Performance in Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadets

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), consisting of deadlift, standing power throw, hand release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck or plank, and 2-mile run, is the United States Army's new fitness test. The ACFT is designed to measure multiple fitness components required to perform combat tasks. One critical task is the tactical foot march (TFM), where soldiers cover long distances while carrying loads comprised of mission-essential equipment. As the ACFT is meant to predict soldier task performance, determining the relationships between the ACFT and the TFM is important. Data from 29 cadets (♂ = 20, ♀ = 9) from one university Reserve Officers' Training Corps program were analyzed. The ACFT was recorded in raw and scaled scores. The TFM was performed over 6.44 km, with time recorded. Cadets carried a 15.88-kg rucksack, fighting load carrier, 3-L hydration pack, and replica M4 carbine. Independent samples t-tests evaluated ACFT and TFM between-sex differences. Partial correlations, controlling for sex, determined ACFT event and TFM relationships. Male cadets outperformed females in all ACFT tasks (p ≤ 0.039), except the push-up. ACFT total score, leg tuck, 2-mile run, and sprint-drag-carry showed large correlations with the TFM (r = ±0.463-0.531, p ≤ 0.026). Aerobic and anaerobic capacity and upper body/trunk strength were important fitness components for cadet TFM performance.

Justified Concerns? An Exploration of the Leg Tuck in a Tactical Population

The leg tuck was replaced by the plank in the Army Combat Fitness Test, in part because it was felt it discriminated against women. There is limited leg tuck research, including between-sex comparisons and relationships with other fitness tests. This study investigated the leg tuck in a firefighter trainee population (274 males, 31 females). Archival fitness test data included: Illinois agility test (IAT); push-ups; pull-ups; leg tucks; multistage fitness test; 4.54 kg backwards overhead medicine ball throw (BOMBT); 10-repetition maximum deadlift; and 18 kg kettlebell farmer's carry over a 91.44 m course. Independent samples t-tests (p < 0.05) and effect sizes (d) compared the sexes. Partial correlations and stepwise regression (controlling for sex; p < 0.05) calculated relationships between the leg tuck with the other tests. Male trainees outperformed females in all tests (p ≤ 0.003). The largest difference was for the BOMBT (d = 2.59) not the leg tuck (d = 1.28). The strongest leg tuck relationships were with pull-ups (r = 0.790) and push-ups (r = 0.553). Sex, pull-ups, and push-ups predicted the leg tuck (r2 = 0.674). Approximately 80% of the females could complete one leg tuck, although female personnel may require specific strength and power training. Pulling strength may be a determining factor in leg tuck performance, which is likely not indicated by the plank.

The reliability, validity and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test for cardiorespiratory fitness assessment in military personnel

The objectives of this study were to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15_IFT) in soldiers. The 34 infantry members of the Slovenian armed forces were recruited as participants. Participants performed the continuous incremental treadmill test (TR), a 2-mile run (2_MR) test, and two 30-15_IFT tests. Additionally, participants were divided into a highest-scoring group (HSG) and a lowest-scoring group (LSG) based on their scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test. A very high reliability ratings were observed for 30-15_IFT measures, as follows: end-running speed (ERS) ERS_IFT (ICC = 0.971)_, maximal heart rate (HR_max) HR_maxIFT (IC = 0.960)_, and maximal relative oxygen consumption (VO_2max) VO_2max-IFT (ICC = 0.975)_. Although 30-15_IFT measures demonstrated high correlations (r = 0.695-0.930) to the same measures of TR test, ERS, HR_max and VO_2max were higher in the 30-15_IFT (p > 0.05)_. Furthermore, ERS_IFT and predicted VO_2maxIFT were higher in HSG compared to LSG, whereas HR_max did not differ. The results of this study show that the 30-15_IFT test is a reliable, valid and useful tool for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in the armed forces. Moreover, the ERS and predicted VO₂max values derived from the 30-15_IFT could be considered more sensitive markers of combat readiness than the parameters derived from the TR and 2_MR tests.Trial registration number: NCT05218798.

Reliability and validity of 30-15 intermittent fitness test for cardiorespiratory fitness assessment among infantry members of Slovenian armed forces: A study protocol

Introduction

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) testing is routinely performed by most armed and tactical forces around the world as part of their recruitment process for new members or simply as an annual examination of their personnel. A 2-mile run (2MR) test is among the most commonly used. However, as it is performed outdoors, weather, climate, and terrain can influence the results and often limit the maximum performance. Also, this test has been shown to be difficult for individuals because the pacing strategy is self-paced. As such, it does not reflect the real situation on the battlefield, where most activities are externally driven by the environment and the enemy. Therefore, we believe that the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) may be a suitable tool for measuring CRF and battle readiness of military personnel. Moreover, given the importance of visual attention to military personnel we aim to investigate the differences in visual attention between better and less physically prepared infantry members and its corresponding response to maximal endurance running test.

Methods and analysis

This randomized cross-over study using a within-subjects test-retest design will enroll 32 infantry members of the Slovenian Armed Forces. To investigate the reliability and validity of the 30-15IFT test, an incremental treadmill test (TR), a 2MR test, and two identical 30-15IFT will be performed in randomized order. Additionally, participants will be subsequently divided into two groups based on their score on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), whereas differences in visual attention will be assessed by using the d2 test. The primary analysis will assess differences in key physiological outcomes between the different CRF tests (TR vs. 2MR vs. 30-15IFT). In addition, the relative reliability of all dependent variables between two 30-15IFT trials will be estimated by interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), while relationship between maximal oxygen uptake, heart rate and maximal running speed of 30-15IFT, TR and 2MR will be assessed using Pearson's correlation.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the National Medical Ethics Committee (reference number: 0120-495/2021/6). The results of the proposed study will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Clinical Trial Registration

[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05218798].