Predicting Soldier Task Performance From Physical Fitness Tests: Reliability and Construct Validity of a Soldier Task Test Battery.

ABSTRACT: Spiering, BA, Walker, LA, Larcom, K, Frykman, PN, Allison, SC, and Sharp, MA. Predicting soldier task performance from physical fitness tests: reliability and construct validity of a soldier task test battery. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2749-2755, 2021-The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and construct validity of a battery of tests designed to assess soldier task performance. In the first part of the study (designed to assess test-retest reliability), 33 enlisted soldiers (31 men, 2 women; 23 ± 3 years; 1.75 ± 0.08 m; and 81.4 ± 12.8 kg) completed a 4-event "soldier task test battery" (STTB) on 4 occasions, each separated by at least 1 week. The STTB consisted of the following tests, in order: (a) 30-m grenade throw for accuracy; (b) running long jump while wearing a 20.5-kg load; (c) 1 repetition maximum box lift; and (d) 3.2-km load carriage time trial while wearing a 33-kg load. In the second part of the study (designed to assess construct validity), 41 male soldiers (22 ± 3 years; 1.75 ± 0.08 m; and 81.4 ± 12.9 kg) completed the STTB and a series of physical fitness tests. The physical fitness tests included measurements of body composition, muscular strength, muscular power, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular endurance. Overall performance on the STTB (reflected by the sum of z-scores across individual tests) demonstrated an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.95 and was correlated to lean mass, V˙o2peak, and measures of muscular strength and power. Lean body mass and standing long jump predicted performance on the STTB (R2 = 0.41). In conclusion, this STTB can reliably assess performance of soldiering tasks. The relationships between the STTB and physical fitness tests can be used to develop training programs to prepare soldiers to perform physically demanding tasks.

U.S. Army physical demands study: Identification and validation of the physically demanding tasks of combat arms occupations.

OBJECTIVES: In 2013, the U.S. Army began developing physical tests to predict a recruit's ability to perform the critical, physically demanding tasks (CPDTs) of combat arms jobs previously not open to women. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodology and results of analyses of the accuracy and inclusiveness of the critical physically demanding task list. While the job analysis included seven combat arms jobs, only data from the 19D Cavalry Scout occupation are presented as the process was similar for all seven jobs. DESIGN: Job analysis METHODS: As the foundation, senior subject matter experts from each job reviewed materials and reached consensus on the CPDTs and performance standards for each job. The list was reviewed by Army leadership and provided to the researchers. The job analysis consisted of reviewing job and task related documents and field manuals, observing >900 soldiers performing the 32 CPDTs, conducting two focus groups for each job, and analyzing responses to widely distributed job analysis questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the 32 CPDTs identified for seven combat jobs, nine were relevant to 19D soldiers. Focus group discussions and job analysis questionnaire results supported the tasks and standards identified by subject matter experts while also identifying additional tasks. CONCLUSIONS: The tasks identified by subject matter experts were representative of the physically demanding aspects of the 19D occupation.

U.S. Army physical demands study: Prevalence and frequency of performing physically demanding tasks in deployed and non-deployed settings.

OBJECTIVES: To compare percentages of on-duty time spent performing physically demanding soldier tasks in non-deployed and deployed settings, and secondarily examine the number of physically demanding tasks performed among five Army combat arms occupational specialties. DESIGN: Job task analysis. METHODS: Soldiers (n=1295; over 99% serving on active duty) across five Army jobs completed one of three questionnaires developed using reviews of job and task related documents, input from subject matter experts, observation of task performance, and conduct of focus groups. Soldiers reported estimates of the total on-duty time spent performing physically demanding tasks in both deployed and non-deployed settings. One-way analyses of variance and Duncan post-hoc tests were used to compare percentage time differences by job. Two-tailed t-tests were used to evaluate differences by setting. Frequency analyses were used to present supplementary findings. RESULTS: Soldiers reported performing physically demanding job-specific tasks 17.7% of the time while non-deployed and 19.6% of the time while deployed. There were significant differences in time spent on job-specific tasks across settings (p<0.05) for three of five occupational specialties. When categories of physically demanding tasks were grouped, all soldiers reported spending more time on physically demanding tasks when deployed (p<0.001). Twenty-five percent reported performing less than half the physically demanding tasks represented on the questionnaire in the last two years. CONCLUSION: Soldiers spent more time performing physically demanding tasks while deployed compared to non-deployed but spent similar amounts of time performing job-specific tasks.