The effects of an augmented and the standard recruit physical training program on fitness parameters

An investigation was conducted to compare fitness changes elicited by standard Navy recruit physical training with a similar but more intense version of standard training. The sample population included 224 Navy recruits between the ages of 17-30 (means = 19.7 years) participating in 8-week Navy basic training at the Recruit Training Command, San Diego, CA. Subjects were drawn from three recruit companies. Two companies of recruits served as controls and participated in the standard Navy running/calisthenic program. A single experimental company participated in an augmented version of standard training. A battery of fitness measures administered during the initial and final stages of training provided data to contrast training program effects. Study findings indicate that participation in the standard physical training program does not significantly alter the overall fitness level of the average recruit. Participation in the augmented training program provides superior stamina but not muscular strength gains when compared to the standard training format.