title: Navy recruits: fitness measuring, validation, and norming.
abstract: During the standard Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) used on Croatian Navy recruits (CNR), we found the standard APFT battery to be both excessively demanding and time-consuming. The aim of the present study was to validate alternate APFT tests (A-APFT) that would be appropriate for CNR. In the sample of 295 CNR (mean age, 23 +/- 2.6 years), we applied the standard APFT (2-minute sit-ups and push-ups, and 2-mile-run) and A-APFT (30-second sit-ups and push-ups, 1,500-meter run, and 2-minute squats). Using linear correlations and linear regression equations, we established validity of the A-APFT compared to the APFT. Thirty-second push-ups, but not 30-second sit-ups, can be considered as a valuable alternative to the same 2-minute test, while the 1500-meter run may be considered as a valid replacement of the 2-mile run. The modified standards for the A-APFT and some suggestions for the enhancement of the physical fitness training in CNR are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Education, University of Split, N. Tesla 12, 21000 Split, Croatia.
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sekulic
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Males
authors.forename: Djurdjica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miletic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017523:Croatia; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009326:Naval Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*