The influence of anthropometrics on physical employment standard performance.
BACKGROUND
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) recently implemented the Fitness for Operational Requirements of CAF Employment (FORCE), a new physical employment standard (PES). Data collection throughout development included anthropometric profiles of the CAF.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if anthropometric measurements and demographic information would predict the performance outcomes of the FORCE and/or Common Military Task Fitness Evaluation (CMTFE).


METHODS
We conducted a secondary analysis of data from FORCE research. We obtained bioelectrical impedance and segmental analysis. Statistical analysis included correlation and linear regression analyses.


RESULTS
Among the 668 study subjects, as predicted, any task requiring lifting, pulling or moving of an object was significantly and positively correlated (r > 0.67) to lean body mass (LBM) measurements. LBM correlated with stretcher carry (r = 0.78) and with lifting actions such as sand bag drag (r = 0.77), vehicle extrication (r = 0.71), sand bag fortification (r = 0.68) and sand bag lift time (r = -0.67). The difference between the correlation of dead mass (DM) with task performance compared with LBM was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
DM and LBM can be used in a PES to predict success on military tasks such as casualty evacuation and manual material handling. However, there is no minimum LBM required to perform these tasks successfully. These data direct future research on how we should diversify research participants by anthropometrics, in addition to the traditional demographic variables of gender and age, to highlight potential important adverse impact with PES design. In addition, the results can be used to develop better training regimens to facilitate passing a PES.
Department of National Defence, Human Performance Research and Development, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0K2, Canada. Tara.reilly@forces.gc.ca.
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T
Reilly
Department of National Defence, Human Performance Research and Development, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0K2, Canada.
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M
Spivock
Department of National Defence, Human Performance Research and Development, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0K2, Canada.
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A
Prayal-Brown
Department of National Defence, Human Performance Research and Development, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0K2, Canada.
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B
Stockbrugger
Department of National Defence, Human Performance Research and Development, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0K2, Canada.
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R
Blacklock
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D002170:Canada; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
Anthropometry; casualty evacuation; employment standards; fitness standard; lean body mass; military; physical selection.