Abstract
This study compared the physical demands and progression of basic training for male and female British Army recruits in single-sex platoons. Thirty male and 30 female recruits were monitored for energy expenditure (EE) (doubly labeled water), physical activity (3-dimensional accelerometry) and cardiovascular strain (percent heart rate reserve) during 6 weeks over the 14-week course. First time pass rate was similar for male (60%) and female (57%) recruits. Average daily percent heart rate reserve (female 31 ± 4%; male 32 ± 5%), physical activity levels (female 2.2 ± 0.2; male 2.3 ± 0.2) and percentage improvements in 2.4-km run time (female 10 ± 4%; male 10 ± 5%) were similar for both sexes (p > 0.05), although male recruits had 12% higher physical activity counts (p < 0.01). Although the absolute physical demands of basic training were greater for male recruits, the relative cardiovascular strain experienced was similar between sexes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 709-715 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Military Medicine |
Volume | 177 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health