ANALYSIS OF STRENGTH AND POWER IN REGIONAL MARINE CORPS CANDIDATES FOR OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has a variety of functions, including as an expeditionary unit that is sent out first to combat zones. Job tasks often require strength and power, like lifting and carrying repair equipment for trucks and tanks and loading a variety of heavy rounds. To ensure Marines have the appropriate fitness needed for combat, the USMC created the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), which includes a maximum pull-up test, timed plank, and a 3-mile run. These events may not measure strength and power, which could affect how candidates train. This study measured the strength (hand grip, leg/back dynamometer) and power (vertical jump [VJ], standing broad jump, medicine ball throw [MBT]) of USMC candidates. Candidates who were preparing for Officer Candidate School. Data was collected within one session. Independent t-tests (p < 0.05) were used to compare the male and female candidates. Partial correlations controlling for sex (p < 0.05) were used to calculate relationships between strength and power measurements. Male candidates performed significantly better on almost all strength and power tests compared to the female candidates. Except for the relative hand grip (p > 0.05). The leg/back dynamometer had a significant relationship with VJ power, MBT, and VJ power. The relative LBD had a significant relationship with the VJ and relative VJP. The hand grip had a significant relationship with the VJ power. Female candidates may require more specific strength and power training than male candidates due to the gaps in strength and power between them. USMC candidates may need to train specifically for both strength and power and not just one of the attributes.