Prediction of Simulated Battlefield Physical Performance from Field-Expedient Tests

Abstract

Predictive models of battlefield physical performance can benefit the military. To develop models, 32 physically trained men (mean +/- SD: 28.0 +/- 4.7 years, 82.1 +/- 11.3 kg, 176.3 +/- 7.5 cm) underwent (1) anthropometric measures: height and body mass; (2) fitness tests: push-ups, sit-ups, 3.2-km run, vertical jump, horizontal jump; (3) simulated battlefield physical performance in fighting load: five 30-m sprints prone to prone, 400-m run, obstacle course, and casualty recovery. Although greater body mass was positively associated with better casualty recovery performance, it showed trends toward poorer performance on all the other fitness and military performance tests. Regression equations well predicted the simulated battlefield performance from the anthropometric measures and physical fitness tests (r = 0.77-0.82). The vertical jump entered all four prediction equations and the horizontal jump entered one of them. The equations, using input from easy to administer tests, effectively predict simulated battlefield physical performance.