The Relationship Between Soldier Height, Weight and Army Combat Fitness Scores

Abstract

The United States Army recently implemented the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) which was designed to more accurately measure functional-combat fitness constructs. The ACFT replaced the former Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The three advent APFT consisted of: two-minute push-ups (PU), two-minute sit-ups (SU), and a timed two-mile run (RUN). The ACFT consists of six events; 3 Rep Max Deadlift (MDL), Standing Power Throw (SPT), Hand Release Push-up (HRP), Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC), Hanging Leg Tuck (LTK), and a timed two-mile run (2MR). This study investigated the relationship between Soldier height (1.79{+/-}0.07 m) and weight (body mass 86.8{+/-}14.2 kg, BMI 27.1{+/-}3.9) on ACFT scores (442.3{+/-}54.4) of 655 male U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers in a Field Artillery Brigade. For the purpose of the investigation body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the metric representing the Soldiers height and weight. The mean and standard deviation (sd) were calculated for the ACFT event and total scores. Pearson correlation coefficients (PCCs or r) were calculated between BMI and ACFT event and total scores. Likewise, PCCs were calculated between the ACFT event and total scores. The ACFT mean{+/-}sd scores were as follows: MDL=92.2{+/-}31.8 (3 maximum repetitions), SPT=9.5{+/-}2.2 (meters), HRP=24.6{+/-}13.1 (repetitions), SDC=119.8{+/-}21.7 (seconds), LTK=6.2{+/-}5.4 (repetitions), 2MR=1095.0{+/-}233.7 (seconds), ACFT total score=442.3{+/-}54.4 (points). Significant positive correlations were found between the ACFT total score: MDL (r=0.70), SPT (r=0.50), HRP (r=0.74), and LTK (r=0.76) events. Conversely, significant negative correlations were identified between ACFT total score: SDC (r=-0.68) and 2MR (r=-0.53) events. Within the parameters of this study, Soldier BMI demonstrated "no to weak" association with individual ACFT event or ACFT total scores. Further, the range of PCCs between the ACFT event scores were "no to moderately high". Military leaders may consider the results provided as combat and fitness tests continue to evolve.