title: Critical Velocity Is Associated With Combat-Specific Performance Measures in a Special Forces Unit.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between critical velocity (CV) and anaerobic distance capacity (ADC) to combat-specific tasks (CST) in a special forces (SFs) unit. Eighteen male soldiers (mean ± SD; age: 19.9 ± 0.8 years; height: 177.6 ± 6.6 cm; body mass: 74.1 ± 5.8 kg; body mass index [BMI]: 23.52 ± 1.63) from an SF unit of the Israel Defense Forces volunteered to complete a 3-minute all-out run along with CST (2.5-km run, 50-m casualty carry, and 30-m repeated sprints with "rush" shooting [RPTDS]). Estimates of CV and ADC from the 3-minute all-out run were determined from data downloaded from a global position system device worn by each soldier, with CV calculated as the average velocity of the final 30 seconds of the run and ADC as the velocity-time integral above CV. Critical velocity exhibited significant negative correlations with the 2.5-km run time (r = -0.62, p < 0.01) and RPTDS time (r = -0.71, p < 0.01). In addition, CV was positively correlated with the average velocity during the 2.5-km run (r = 0.64, p < 0.01). Stepwise regression identified CV as the most significant performance measure associated with the 2.5-km run time, whereas BMI and CV measures were significant predictors of RPTDS time (R(2) = 0.67, p ≤ 0.05). Using the 3-minute all-out run as a testing measurement in combat, personnel may offer a more efficient and simpler way in assessing both aerobic and anaerobic capabilities (CV and ADC) within a relatively large sample.
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness, Sport and Exercise Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; 2Israel Defense Force, Medical Corps, Air Force Medical center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; 3Israel Defense Forces, Combat Fitness Branch, Netanya, Israel; 4School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Israel; and 5Israel Defense Force, Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Israel;
authors.forename: Mattan W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: Jay R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Geva
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Landua
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Nurit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharvit
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Erez
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carmon
authors.forename: Ishay
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ostfeld
mesh_terms: D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult