Abstract

This study compared the physical demands and progression of basic training for male and female British Army recruits in single-sex platoons. Thirty male and 30 female recruits were monitored for energy expenditure (EE) (doubly labeled water), physical activity (3-dimensional accelerometry) and cardiovascular strain (percent heart rate reserve) during 6 weeks over the 14-week course. First time pass rate was similar for male (60%) and female (57%) recruits. Average daily percent heart rate reserve (female 31 +/- 4%; male 32 +/- 5%), physical activity levels (female 2.2 +/- 0.2; male 2.3 +/- 0.2) and percentage improvements in 2.4-km run time (female 10 +/- 4%; male 10 +/- 5%) were similar for both sexes (p > 0.05), although male recruits had 12% higher physical activity counts (p < 0.01). Although the absolute physical demands of basic training were greater for male recruits, the relative cardiovascular strain experienced was similar between sexes.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Richmond VL, Carter JM, Wilkinson DM, Homer FE, Rayson MP, Wright A, Bilzon JL

Institution

Optimal Performance Ltd, The Coach House, 26b Oakfield Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2AT, United Kingdom.

Source

Military medicine 177:6 2012 Jun pg 709-15

MeSH

Adult
Body Composition
Energy Metabolism
Female
Great Britain
Heart Rate
Humans
Male
Military Personnel
Motor Activity
Stress, Physiological
Task Performance and Analysis
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22730848