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One Size Does Not Fit All: Cardiorespiratory Fitness Adaptations to Basic Military Training are Attenuated in Female
Nicholas J Saner1, Jujiao Kuang1,2, I-Ting Cheng1
1Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Insights
Basic military training improves cardiorespiratory fitness, but adaptations are less pronounced in female recruits and those with high baseline fitness. These groups also experience higher injury rates, suggesting a need for tailored training approaches.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Military Medicine
- Sports Science
Background:
- Basic Military Training (BMT) aims to enhance recruit physical fitness.
- Individual variability in BMT response and high injury rates are significant concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how baseline cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), sex, and age influence CRF changes and musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) during BMT.
- To identify predictors of differential adaptations to military physical training.
Main Methods:
- Prospective assessment of CRF (estimated V̇o2max) and MSKI in 1,581 Australian Army recruits over 12 weeks of BMT.
- Statistical analysis to determine the relationship between baseline CRF, sex, age, and changes in CRF and MSKI incidence.
Main Results:
- A significant group-level increase in estimated V̇o2max was observed (6.6 ± 7.9%).
- Baseline CRF and sex significantly predicted CRF changes; age did not.
- Recruits with higher baseline CRF showed attenuated V̇o2max gains.
- Male recruits exhibited greater V̇o2max improvements than female recruits.
- Female recruits had a 2.5-fold higher MSKI incidence.
Conclusions:
- CRF improves during BMT, but baseline fitness and sex are key factors influencing adaptation.
- Female recruits experience less CRF improvement and disproportionately higher MSKI.
- Ability-based training strategies are recommended to optimize fitness gains and reduce injuries in military personnel.
Abstract:
Saner, NJ, Kuang, J, Cheng, I-T, Drain, JR, and Bishop, DJ. One size does not fit all: Cardiorespiratory fitness adaptations to basic military training are attenuated in female recruits and recruits with high baseline fitness. J Strength Cond Res 38(10): 1724-1731, 2024- A focus of basic military training (BMT) is to improve the physical fitness of recruits. However, significant individual variation in the response to BMT has been reported, and the prevalence of injury is high. This study investigated the relationship between baseline cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), sex, and age to changes in CRF and musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) during BMT. Cardiorespiratory fitness and injury prevalence were prospectively assessed in a large mixed-sex cohort of Australian Army recruits (n = 1,581) undergoing 12 weeks of BMT. There was a significant group-level increase in estimated V̇o2max during BMT (6.6 ± 7.9%, p < 0.001); however, there was significant individual variation in responses. Baseline CRF and sex were significant predictors (p < 0.001) of change in estimated V̇o2max, but age was not (p = 0.115). Recruits within the 2 highest quintiles for baseline CRF improved estimated V̇o2max significantly less than recruits in the lowest 3 quintiles (p < 0.001). Male recruits improved estimated V̇o2max to a greater extent than female recruits (mean difference ± SD, 1.9 ± 0.2 mL·kg-1·min-1, p < 0.001), even when baseline fitness was accounted for. There were 153 recruits that reported 1 or more MSKI during BMT, and there was approximately 2.5-fold higher MSKI incidence in female recruits. Overall, we report that CRF improved during BMT and that baseline CRF and sex partially explain these improvements. However, female recruits demonstrated modest gains in CRF and were disproportionately injured when compared with male recruits. This highlights the need for ability-based training strategies to yield consistent improvements and reduce injury prevalence in military personnel.
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