Maximal Aerobic Capacity As A Predictor Of Performance On Acft Total Scores Of Rotc Cadets

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is a newly developed test that assesses the combat readiness of U.S. Army soldiers. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) characteristics vary between soldiers and can affect performance outcomes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine if VO2max can predict performance outcomes of the ACFT in ROTC cadets. METHODS: ROTC cadets (50 males, 14 females; aged 21.43 ± 4.10 years) completed the 6-event ACFT (3-repetition maximum trap-bar deadlift [MDL], standing power throw [SPT], hand-release pushups [HRPU], sprint-drag-carry shuttle run [SDC], plank [PLK], and 2-mile run [2MR]). The cadets reported to the laboratory to conduct a maximal treadmill running test following the Bruce protocol. The ability of VO2max (mL·kg-1·min-1) to predict ACFT performance was determined with a linear regression model. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: VO2max was significantly and positively correlated to MDL (r = .253, p = .044), HRPU (r = .486, p < .001), SDC (r = .495, p < .001), PLK (r = .628, p < .001) 2MR (r = .612, p < .001) and overall ACFT score (r = .619, p < .001) but not SPT (r = .203, p = .108). VO2max significantly explained 38% (p = .001) of the variance on the total ACFT scores with a beta coefficient of 4.338. CONCLUSION: There is a gap in the understanding of how VO2max impacts performance in the newly implemented ACFT. VO2max is a predictor of the ACFT total score and significantly correlates with the MDL, HRPU, SDC, PLK, and 2MR. VO2max did not correlate with the individual event SPT. For every 1 mL·kg-1·min-1 increase in VO2max, ACFT total scores increased by 4 points. These findings support the need for further research due to the trends of U.S. Army personnel failing the 2MR, which can be associated with an insufficient aerobic capacity.