Effects of Basic Training in the British Army on Regular and Reserve Army Personnel

IntroductionThe 1.5-mile best-effort run is used in the British Army to assess the fitness of all recruits and trained service personnel by means of the physical fitness assessment (PFA). The 1.5-mile run is a basic measure of fitness and slower times have been associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSkI), particularly during this early stage of training. The aim of this study was to establish whether 1.5-mile run times were associated with subsequent MSkIs among female recruits during their 14-week basic training.MethodRetrospective data were analysed from female recruits who had undertaken basic military training between June 2016 and October 2017. This included retrieving the results of their week 1 PFA; recording the type, cause and week of MSkI if they had sustained one; and noting down their outcome from basic training. Run times were statistically analysed in relation to MSkI occurrence of 227 female recruits using binomial logistic regression with an accepted alpha level of p value <0.05.Results1.5-mile run time predicted risk of MSkI (χ2 (1)=12.91, p<0.0005) in female recruits. The mean run time for injury-free recruits was faster than for injured recruits (12 min 13 s compared with 12 min 43 s). Every 10 s increase in run time was associated with an 8.3% increase in risk of injury.ConclusionSlower 1.5-mile best-effort run time, as a surrogate of aerobic fitness, is associated with increased risk of MSkI in female recruits during basic training.

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The effects of basic training on aerobic fitness and muscular strength and endurance of British Army recruits

Ergonomics ◽

10.1080/00140139608964560 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 39 (12) ◽

pp. 1403-1418 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

S. J. LEGG ◽

A. DUGGAN

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

British Army ◽

Basic Training ◽

Army Recruits

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Dietary Intake and Nitrogen Balance in British Army Infantry Recruits Undergoing Basic Training

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12072125 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 2125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shaun Chapman ◽

Alex J. Rawcliffe ◽

Rachel Izard ◽

Kimberley Jacka ◽

Hayley Tyson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Nitrogen Balance ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

British Army ◽

Basic Training ◽

Training Centre ◽

Significant Difference ◽

G 11

We assessed dietary intake and nitrogen balance during 14 weeks of Basic Training (BT) in British Army Infantry recruits. Nineteen men (mean ± SD: age 19.9 ± 2.6 years, height: 175.7 ± 6.5 cm, body mass 80.3 ± 10.1 kg) at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick (ITC(C)) volunteered. Nutrient intakes and 24-h urinary nitrogen balance were assessed in weeks 2, 6 and 11 of BT. Nutrient intake was assessed using researcher-led weighed food records and food diaries, and Nutritics professional dietary software. Data were compared between weeks using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. There was a significant difference in protein intake (g) between weeks 2 and 11 of BT (115 ± 18 vs. 91 ± 20 g, p = 0.02, ES = 1.26). There was no significant difference in mean absolute daily energy (p = 0.44), fat (p = 0.79) or carbohydrate (CHO) intake (p = 0.06) between weeks. Nitrogen balance was maintained in weeks 2, 6 and 11, but declined throughout BT (2: 4.6 ± 4.1 g, 6: 1.6 ± 4.5 g, 11: −0.2 ± 5.5 g, p = 0.07). A protein intake of 1.5 g·kg−1·d−1 may be sufficient in the early stages of BT, but higher intakes may be individually needed later on in BT.

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