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. 2024 Mar 1;17(4):429-437.
eCollection 2024.

Maximal Aerobic Capacity as a Predictor of Performance on ACFT Total Score of ROTC Cadets

Anthony M Acevedo  1 , Zachary Zeigler  1 , Bridget Melton  2
Affiliations

Maximal Aerobic Capacity as a Predictor of Performance on ACFT Total Score of ROTC Cadets

Anthony M Acevedo et al. Int J Exerc Sci. .

Abstract

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is a newly developed test that assesses the combat readiness of U.S. Army soldiers. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine if VO2max can predict performance outcomes of the ACFT in ROTC cadets. This understanding can provide a better understanding of the aerobic demands of the ACFT. Cadets (50 males, 14 females; aged 21.43 ± 4.10 years) completed the 6-event ACFT (maximum trap-bar deadlift [MDL], standing power throw [SPT], hand-release pushups [HRPU], sprint-drag-carry shuttle run [SDC], plank [PLK], and 2-mile run [2MR]). The cadets conducted a maximal treadmill running test following the Bruce protocol. The ability of VO2max (mL·kg-1·min-1) to predict ACFT performance was determined with a linear regression model. Significance was set at p < 0.05. VO2max was significantly and positively correlated to MDL (r = .253, p = .044), HRPU (r = .486, p < .001), SDC (r = .495, p < .001), PLK (r = .628, p < .001) 2MR (r = .612, p < .001) and overall ACFT score (r = .619, p < .001) but not SPT (r = .203, p = .108). VO2max significantly explained 38% (p < .001) of the variance on the total ACFT scores with a beta coefficient of 4.338. There is a gap in understanding how VO2max impacts performance in the newly implemented ACFT. For every 1 mL·kg-1·min-1 increase in VO2max, ACFT total scores increased by 4 points. These findings support the need for further research due to the trends of U.S. Army personnel failing the 2MR, which can be associated with an insufficient aerobic capacity.

Keywords: VO2max; army; military.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Relationship between VO2max (mL·kg−1·min−1) and maximum Deadlift (A), Standing Power Toss (B), Hand-Release Pushup (C), Sprint-Drag-Carry (D), Plank (E), and 2-mile Run (F). All relationships except Standing Power Toss are statistically significant (P < 0.001).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Relationship between VO2max (mL·kg−1·min−1) and Army Combat Fitness Test Scores. Relationship is statistically significant at P < 0.001.
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