SCALING OF PUSH-UP, SIT-UP AND TWO-MILE RUN PERFORMANCES BY BODY WEIGHT AND FAT-FREE WEIGHT IN YOUNG, FIT MEN 1089

Abstract

A U.S. service Academy administers a three-event physical performance test(PPT) to assess muscular endurance {2 minutes each of push-ups (PU) & sit-ups (SU) and cardiorespiratory fitness {2 mile run (2MR)} with no correction made for anthropometric variables. After completing the PPT, a composite score is assigned based on performance of the three fitness events with scores derived from an institutional, norm-referenced/gender-specific table. An academic grade is then assigned based on this composite score. The scores needed to attain superior achievement (A+, 1000 point performance) are: 100 PU & SU, and 10:30 2MR. The purpose of this study was to utilize allometric scaling to examine the influence of body weight (BW) and fat-free weight (FFW) on a PPT in young, fit men. Two hundred and thirty-eight subjects were evaluated in this study (Mean±SD). (AGE = 21±1 yr; HT = 180±7 cm; BW = 81±12 kg; FFW = 72± 9 kg;%FAT = 11± 3%; PU = 71± 15 reps; SU = 87± 10 reps; 2MR = 809± 68 secs; and PPT SCORE = 272±34 points) The table below indicates the value of (a), the exponent, determined via allometric scaling. For example, PU·BW-a indicates a “newly created” index, free of the influence of BW. Therefore, PU·BW-38 is an index representing scaled PU performance. Proper comparisons can then be made between individual with the influence of BW removed. In conclusion, this investigation revealed that to partition out the influence of BW or FFW on a PPT in young, fit men; a correction for BW or FFW needs to be made either with each PPT component or on the PPT composite score.