Physiological effects of a military training program on male and female cadets

Tested at the beginning and the end of the 6-week training program which all incoming cadets (plebes) undergo upon entering the U.S. Military Academy were 29 males and 26 females (17-21 years old). The aerobic training consisted of running for 30 min 5-6 d/week at varied speeds depending upon performance in an initial 1.5-mile run test. Females responded to training with a significant increase (p is less than 0.001) in VO2 max from 46.0 +/- 1.0 to 49.7 +/- 0.8 ml/kg.min (7.9%). Males did not increase their initial VO2 max (59.4 +/- 1.1 ml/kg.min) significantly. Both groups significantly reduced HRmax and percent body fat. Their initial VO2 max values and activity history accounted for the lack of a significant increase in this highly-fit population of males. Blood lactates were significantly decreased (p is less than 0.05) at the same two submaximal workloads after training. The initial difference in aerobic power between males and females was reduced from 22% to 18%.