ACFT Performance Based On Sport Skill Affiliation Of U.S. Service Academy Subjects; Implications To Military Training

Sport affiliations have unique demands with specific training regiments focused on the respective sport’s requirements. The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is arguably a “robust” assessment demanding performance in strength, endurance, mobility, power, speed (SEMPS). PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of unique sport skill affiliation on ACFT performance of U.S. service academy subjects. METHODS: Analysis of 5,615 subjects (4,344 men, 1,271 women) investigated specific team’s ACFT performance. Division 1 (D-1) teams (18 men; 14 women), club teams (18 men; 15 women) and normal cadet company sports participation (men; women-labeled average) with athlete affiliation were evaluated. ACFT performance of all teams was grouped as the top 3 and bottom 3 of each D-1 & Club team. RESULTS: The table presents the individual and composite scores for ACFT (Top 2 and Bottom 2 teams, average cadet company, and overall subjects). The sport teams of black and gold Sandhurst and functional fitness for men/women; hockey, rugby, team handball and climbing for men and diving, softball, powerlifting and marathon for women were the highest sports related to ACFT performance. The lowest performing teams were orienteering, fencing, equestrian, and tennis for both men/women and the rifle, golf team for men & cheer squad, and volleyball team for women. Sports that center on specific training for strength, power tend to enhance ACFT performance to a greater degree that those of more skill orientation. CONCLUSION: ACFT performance demands hybrid fitness performance. Sports that require a multifaceted approach in SEMPS are ideal for higher ACFT performances in men and women. ACFT training can no longer be focused on a one or two-dimensional approach to overall fitness. - Team # Subjects HT (in) WT (lb) ACFT (pts) IOCT (secs) DL (lbs) PT (m) PU (rep) SDC (secs) LT (reps) PLK (secs) 2MR (secs) Men Club Func.Fitness 20 69.9 183.6 581.5 162.8 335.0 11.4 55.6 89.8 20.0 214.8 809.5 Men Club BG Sandhurst 22 70.7 176.4 581.1 160.5 325.9 11.1 57.5 89.1 Not Taken 216.8 747.1 Women Club BG Sandhurst 5 64.8 144.2 585.6 214.6 222.0 7.1 50.8 119.0 Not Taken 220.0 828.4 Women Club Func. Fitness 8 64.5 146.1 567.4 200.0 210.0 7.2 46.8 117.8 Not Taken 213.0 933.0 Men D1 Rifle 11 70.9 163.8 516.2 185.0 273.6 9.2 38.4 102.5 14.7 199.2 945.3 Men D1 Golf 16 70.6 170.0 521.1 185.8 263.7 9.7 42.4 104.2 13.0 197.8 904.1 Women Club Orienteering 7 64.1 134.0 458.3 Not Taken 161.4 5.3 30.4 135.6 4.0 210.0 908.0 Women D1 Tennis 26 65.2 141.6 463.9 271.0 172.7 6.0 25.9 134.3 4.4 155.6 1032.1 Average Men Company 2283 70.1 176.3 531.5 181.1 288.7 9.8 44.8 99.9 13.0 186.0 890.0 Average Women Company 404 64.9 141.6 487.9 258.6 179.1 5.9 31.2 135.5 5.0 171.0 1027.5 Men 4344 70.6 181.7 539.1 177.9 298.4 10.4 45.6 97.2 13.7 184.1 888.5 Women 1271 65.5 144.7 499.6 248.6 187.3 6.4 32.3 129.7 5.7 169.9 997.1