Improving Female-specific Preparation Training Programs For The U.s. Army Occupational Physical Assessment Test (opat)

The U.S. Army uses the Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) to predict performance and assign tasks. However, the data on female responses to the OPAT is limited, and understanding these responses can help develop targeted training programs for women to improve OPAT outcomes. PURPOSE: Determine OPAT event failure rate in a military-aged female population to inform training programs for more successful outcomes. METHODS: Forty-one healthy females (age: 24 ± 4 y; weight: 62.6 ± 10.7 kg; height: 164 ± 7 cm) recruited from a university and local community provided written informed consent prior to completing the OPAT. The OPAT includes four tests in a standardized order: the broad jump, 2 kg medicine ball throw, hex bar deadlift, and 20-m interval aerobic run (IAR) test. OPAT scoring is bracketed into four categories that relate to the qualification of a job work level (black = heavy, grey = significant, gold = moderate, and white = failure). For study purposes, a grey category score or better was operationally defined as passing the OPAT (broad jump ≥140 cm, medicine ball throw ≥400 cm, hex bar deadlift ≥63.5 kg, and IAR stage ≥40). A score below these thresholds resulted in discontinuation of the OPAT battery (i.e., fail). Once a score above a threshold was achieved the test was stopped (unless the participant wished to continue to volitional fatigue) and the next test began after 2 min rest. Frequencies and independent t-tests between those who passed and failed the tests are presented. RESULTS: 65.8% (27/41) of participants met or exceeded the grey category threshold on all tests. A step-wise assessment of the 14 females that failed, found 1 out of 14 failed the broad jump, 3 out of 13 failed the medicine ball throw, 2 out of 10 failed the deadlift, and the remaining 8 failed the IAR. The medicine ball throw (426 ± 31 vs. 403 ± 25 cm, p = 0.02), broad jump distance (162 ± 22 vs. 157 ± 20 cm, p = 0.01), deadlift (77 ± 12 vs. 64 ± 6 kg, p < 0.01), IAR stage (42 ± 3 vs. 25 ± 8 stages completed, p < 0.01), and estimated O2max (42.1 ± 1.1 vs. 36.9 ± 2.5 ml·kg-1·min-1, p < 0.01) were all greater in those that passed vs. failed the OPAT. CONCLUSION: OPAT preparatory training programs for females should prioritize enhancing aerobic capacity followed by upper and lower body strength for successful OPAT performance. Supported by: The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the U.S. Government, Department of Energy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense. Funding is provided through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (#W81XWH-22-9-0014)