Ergometry as a predictor of basic military training success

One hundred U.S. Air Force recruits were administered the cycle ergometry test to determine their aerobic fitness and timed on a 2-mile run before beginning the physical conditioning phase of training. The estimated oxygen consumption (vO2) was calculated for all trainees completing the ergometry test. The mean estimated vO2 for those successfully completing basic military training (BMT) on schedule was 27.95 +/- 1.74 ml/kg/minute, whereas the mean estimated vO2 for those not completing the program on schedule was 32.94 +/- 3.55 ml/kg/minute (not statistically different). For the 2-mile run, the times ranged from 14 minutes 17 seconds to 29 minutes 11 seconds. The mean run time for those completing BMT on schedule was 22 minutes 28.15 seconds +/- 25.79 seconds, compared to 21 minutes 19.46 seconds +/- 1 minute 26.30 seconds for those not completing the program on schedule (not statistically different). Neither relative risk nor chi-square calculations were statistically significant. No significant associations between run times or a passing cycle ergometry score at the beginning of BMT and successful completion of BMT were found.