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Related Experiment Videos

Ambulatory physical activity during United States Army basic combat training.

J J Knapik1, S Darakjy, K G Hauret

  • 1U. S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA. joseph.knapik@apg.amedd.army.mil

International Journal of Sports Medicine
|October 7, 2006
PubMed
Summary

United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) physical activity was measured using pedometers over nine weeks. Trainees averaged over 16,000 steps daily, highlighting significant locomotor demands during training.

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Area of Science:

  • Military Science
  • Sports Medicine
  • Human Movement Science

Background:

  • Quantifying physical activity in military training is crucial for understanding physiological demands.
  • Previous research has not comprehensively assessed locomotor activity throughout an entire Basic Combat Training (BCT) cycle.
  • Understanding physical exertion during BCT can inform training protocols and injury prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the daily locomotor physical activity of trainees during a complete 9-week BCT cycle.
  • To estimate the daily travel distances covered by trainees throughout BCT.
  • To examine variations in physical activity levels among different BCT companies.

Main Methods:

  • Electronic pedometers were utilized to record daily steps for 4 trainees in each of 10 BCT companies.

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  • Pedometer data were collected throughout the entire 9-week BCT period.
  • Daily questionnaires confirmed pedometer wear and continuous participation in training activities.

    • Main Results:

    • Trainees averaged 16,311 +/- 5,826 steps per day, covering an estimated 11.7 +/- 4.4 kilometers daily.
    • Locomotor activity peaked during field training exercises, with trainees averaging 22,372 +/- 12,517 steps daily.
    • Daily step counts varied between BCT companies, ranging from 14,720 +/- 6,649 to 18,729 +/- 6,328 steps.

    Conclusions:

    • This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of locomotor physical activity across a full BCT cycle.
    • Basic Combat Training involves substantial daily physical exertion, particularly during field exercises.
    • Significant variability in physical activity exists among different training companies.