A Research Note Investigating the Leg Tuck and Plank With Potential Impacts for Occupational Testing

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Human performance
• Occupational testing

Background:

• The U.S. Army transitioned from the leg tuck to the plank in physical ability testing.
• Limited research exists on the correlation between these tests, their relationship with body composition and strength, and their sex-neutrality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between the leg tuck and plank tests.
• To examine the relationship of these tests with body composition and strength.
• To determine if these tests are sex-neutral.

Main Methods:

• Forty-nine civilian college students (28 males, 21 females) participated.
• Measurements included height, body mass, body fat percentage (BF%), muscle mass percentage (MM%), grip strength, leg tuck, and plank performance.
• Statistical analyses involved independent t-tests, partial correlations, and stepwise regression, controlling for sex.

Main Results:

• Males were taller, heavier, had greater muscle mass, and performed better on grip strength and the leg tuck.
• Females exhibited higher body fat percentage.
• No significant sex differences were found for the plank test.
• The leg tuck correlated with body fat, muscle mass, grip strength, and the plank.
• The plank correlated with body fat percentage.
• Sex, grip strength, and the plank predicted leg tuck performance; no variables predicted plank performance.

Conclusions:

• The plank test appears to minimize sex differences in performance among civilians, making it potentially more suitable for occupational testing.
• The leg tuck and plank likely assess different physical qualities.
• Further research is recommended to explore the job task relationships of these tests.