The Relationship Between Functional Motor Competence and Performance on the Army Combat Fitness Test in Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets

ABSTRACT Introduction The development of functional motor competence (FMC; i.e., neuromuscular coordination and control required to meet a wide range of movement goals) is critical to long-term development of health- and performance-related physical capacities (e.g., muscular strength and power, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance). Secular decline in FMC among U.S. children and adolescents presents current and future challenges for recruiting prospective military personnel to successfully perform the physical demands of military duty. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between FMC and physical military readiness (PMR) in a group of Cadets enrolled in an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Materials and Methods Ninety Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets from a southeastern university and a military college in the southeast (females = 22; Mage = 19.5 ± 2.5) volunteered for participation in the study. Cadets performed a battery of eight FMC assessments consisting of locomotor, object projection, and functional coordination tasks. To assess PMR, Cadets performed the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Values from all FMC assessments were standardized based on the sample and summed to create a composite FMC score. ACFT scores were assigned to Cadets based upon ACFT scoring standards. We used Pearson correlations to assess the relationships between individual FMC assessment raw scores, FMC composite scores, and total ACFT points. We also evaluated the potential impact of FMC on ACFT in the entire sample and within each gender subgroup using hierarchical linear regression. Finally, we implemented a 3 × 2 chi-squared analysis to evaluate the predictive utility of FMC level on pass/fail results on the ACFT by categorizing Cadets’ composite FMC score into high (≥75th percentile) moderate (≥25th percentile and <75th percentile), and low (<25th percentile) based on the percentile ranks within the sample. ACFT pass/fail results were determined using ACFT standards, requiring a minimum of 60 points on each the ACFT subtests. Results FMC composite scores correlated strongly with total ACFT performance (r = 0.762) with individual FMC tests demonstrating weak-to-strong relationships ACFT performance (r = 0.200–0.769). FMC uniquely accounted for 15% (95% CI: −0.07 to 0.36) of the variance in ACFT scores in females (R2 = 0.516, F2,19 = 10.11, P < 0.001) and 26% (95% CI: 0.09–0.43) in males (R2 = 0.385, F2,65 = 20.37, P < 0.001), respectively, above and beyond the impact of age. The 3 × 2 chi-squared analysis demonstrated 74% of those with low, 28% with moderate, and 17% with high FMC failed the ACFT (χ2 [1, N = 90] = 27.717, V = 0.555, P < 0.001). Conclusion FMC composite scores are strongly correlated with ACFT scores, and low levels of FMC were a strong predictor of ACFT failure. These data support the hypothesis that the development of sufficient FMC in childhood and adolescence may be a critical antecedent for PMR. Efforts to improve FMC in children and adolescents may increase PMR of future military recruits.

Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets

ABSTRACT Introduction Military members’ knowledge of concussion signs and symptoms may be critical to appropriate concussion identification and health-seeking behavior, particularly for those in leadership roles. The current study aimed to characterize concussion knowledge and attitudes among future military officers undergoing U.S.-based Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) training. Materials and Methods Army and Air Force ROTC cadets at 2 large, public universities were utilized for a survey-based observational study. The study was approved by the institutional review board at both university research sites. Cadets completed a modified Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitude Survey to obtain cadets’ Concussion Knowledge Index and Concussion Attitude Index, where higher scores are preferable. Cadets’ concussion knowledge and attitudes were characterized via descriptive statistics. Results Cadets (n = 110) had a mean Concussion Knowledge Index of 18.8 ± 3.2 (range = 9–23, out of 25). Potentially detrimental misconceptions included: belief that typically concussion symptoms no longer persist after 10 days (79.1%) and brain imaging shows visible physical damage following concussion (74.5%). Mean Concussion Attitude Index was 60.6 ± 7.4 (range = 46–75, out of 75). In general, cadets reported higher agreement with safe concussion behavior than what they believe peers would report. Conclusions Cadets were found to have a high concussion knowledge, yet common misconceptions remained. Cadets consistently reported safe choices but were less sure that peers felt similarly; future investigations should evaluate ROTC concussion social norms and education should note peers’ beliefs supporting safe concussion attitudes.

Heightened Sexual Misconduct Victimization Rates among Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Women: Results From a Campus Climate Survey

Sexual assault, harassment, and stalking are commonplace among college students, with identified subgroups being particularly at risk (e.g., Greek-life organizations and intercollegiate athletics). Despite higher rates of sexual misconduct among active-duty military and service academy women, no research has examined the risk for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) women. A total of N = 1,562 college women were sampled from a sexual misconduct campus climate survey. ROTC women reported higher victimization rates for all variants of sexual misconduct and violence relative to the broader student population, as well as previously established high-risk groups. Directions for future research and implications for prevention programming/response are presented and discussed.

305 Subjective sleep predicts Cadet performance during U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Advanced Camp

Introduction U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Advanced Camp (AC) is a 29-day training that assesses military skills and leadership potential in college students training to become Commissioned Officers (i.e. Cadets). Military trainings are widely known to disrupt normative sleep. Additionally, operational sleep disruption is linked to performance decrements. This study examined the ability for objective and subjective sleep during ROTC AC to predict Cadet performance. Methods One hundred and fifty-nine ROTC Cadets (age 22.06±2.49 years; 76.1% male) wore an actiwatch device continuously for 29 days during AC. Paper surveys administered at the end of AC captured subjective sleep metrics during the training. ROTC instructors evaluated Cadet performance and provided scores of overall class rank and summary performance. Multiple and ordinal linear regressions assessed the predicative utility of subjective (sleep duration [SD]; Global score [Global] from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and objective (Total Sleep Time [TST]; Sleep Efficiency [SE]; Sleep Latency Onset [SOL]; Wake After Sleep Onset [WASO] from actigraphy) sleep on performance. Results The interaction of SD and Global, when controlling for age and gender, significantly predicted increased Cadet rank, F(4,153) = 3.09, p = 0.018. Models testing the prediction of SD and Global on summary performance score were non-significant. Further, regressing of both Cadet rank and summary performance individually on objective sleep metrics, when controlling for age and gender, resulted in non-significant findings. Conclusion Subjective and objective sleep showed no significant individual predictive utility on performance. However, the combined subjective model significantly predicted that Cadets who slept worse (lower SD; higher Global) during AC received a lower rank at the end of the training. These findings suggest there may be a unique combined predictive utility of subjective sleep on performance when compared to the predictive power of individual variables. Therefore, subjective sleep may be better for predicting operational performance than objective sleep. Future analyses will refine these models and examine how performance on individual AC events may be influenced by sleep. Support for this study came from the Military Operational Medicine Research Program (MOMRP) of the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC). Support (if any):

Sex-related Differences in Functional Movement Screen Scores Among Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets

ABSTRACT Introduction The primary aim of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs is to prepare cadets for future military service. To successfully complete one of these programs and perform active duty responsibilities, cadets must be able to complete a variety of physical tasks. Therefore, performing movement screening may be useful for identifying potential movement disparities that could lead to injury. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether sex-related differences in movement patterns exist on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). The FMS is a tool that uses seven functional movements to assess movement pattern deficits and asymmetries; deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge (ILL), shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise (ASLR), trunk stability pushup (TSPU), and rotary stability. Materials and Methods Archived data for 93 (male, n = 69; female n = 24) ROTC cadets were provided to the primary investigators for analysis. Independent t-tests (P < .05) were conducted to analyze differences in assessments between sexes. Results Significant differences between sexes were observed on the ILL (P = .014), ASLR (P < .001), and TSPU (P < .001). Females scored higher on both the ILL (2.13 ± 0.54) and ASLR (2.04 ± 0.69) compared with males (1.81 ± 0.52 and 1.48 ± 0.58). Males scored significantly higher (P ≤ .001) on the TSPU (2.57 ± .581) compared with females (2.00 ± .417). No significant differences were observed in the deep squat (P = .865), hurdle step (P = .829), shoulder mobility (P = .342), and rotary stability (P = .230) assessments. Conclusions Sex differences in the ILL, ASLR, and TSPU may be because of greater mobility in the ankle and hamstrings and reduced upper-body muscle mass for females compared with males. Males performed better than females on the TSPU test. In conclusion, sex-related differences in FMS performance do exist within the ROTC population. Additionally, these differences should be taken into consideration when designing specific exercise programs for ROTC cadets.

Sex Differences in Body Composition and Fitness Scores in Military Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets

ABSTRACT Introduction The cadets in the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) consist of students from varied backgrounds. As part of collegiate ROTC programs, cadets must pass fitness tests and adhere to body composition standards in addition to completing their education. The previous fitness test of record was the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), but it was recently changed to the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to better test soldiers for combat capabilities. As part of the standardized scoring, the ACFT is no longer separated by sex or age as in the APFT, but rather by job duty. The purpose of this study was to characterize the modern ROTC cadet based on body composition measures and APFT and ACFT scores and then determine how those factors are related. Materials and Methods We calculated body mass index (BMI), fat mass, fat-free mass (FFM), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and fat mass index (FMI) (n = 68, 42 males, 26 females). We used Pearson correlations to compare the scores to body composition assessments and Student’s t-tests to determine if there were differences between sexes. We hypothesized that those with higher FFM and FFMI will have a higher passing rate on the ACFT and that males would perform better on the ACFT because of having more FFM. Results We found that cadets, regardless of sex, were borderline overweight using BMI standards and that BMI did not correlate with any fitness tests. When comparing sexes, both males and females had high passing rates on the APFT, but females struggled to pass the ACFT mostly because of the leg tuck. We also found that ACFT scores were strongly correlated with FFM and FFMI, yet no body composition measures were correlated with APFT scores. Conclusions It is clear from our data that structured training programs and nutrition guidance are needed with an emphasis on changing body composition to increase lean mass and strength to increase the performance of ROTC cadets on the ACFT.