title: Evaluation of a standardized physical training program for basic combat training.
abstract: A control group (CG, n = 1,138) that implemented a traditional Basic Combat Training (BCT) physical training (PT) program was compared to an evaluation group (EG, n = 829) that implemented a PT program newly designed for BCT. The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) was taken at various points in the PT program, and injuries were obtained from a medical surveillance system. After 9 weeks of training, the proportion failing the APFT was lower in the EG than in the CG (1.7 vs. 3.3%, p = 0.03). After adjustment for initial fitness levels, age, and body mass index, the relative risk of an injury in the CG was 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.2-2.0) and 1.5 (95% CI = 1.2-1.8) times higher than in the EG for men and women, respectively. The newly designed PT program resulted in higher fitness test pass rates and lower injury rates compared to a traditional BCT physical training program.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knapik
authors.forename: Salima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Darakjy
authors.forename: Shawn J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Hauret
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Canada
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: Bruce H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis