Fitness Prep for Military Recruits

Low fitness levels can be a problem in military boot camp. The Armed Forces are interested in finding ways to predict who can complete the first month of training without injury.

In this study 1,583 Marine Corps recruits answered a few questions about their physical fitness and exercise before boot camp. A four-question survey was used to self-assess fitness and exercise. Everyone filled out the survey within three days of arrival at the Marine Corps training camp.

A month later they took a physical fitness test and compared the results. African Americans had the highest score. The white group had the lowest score. Pull-ups were the best predictor of fitness.

The authors report that self-assessed upper body strength is a good way to predict who will pass or fail boot camp. Recruiters can use this information to help incoming recruits prepare for boot camp. Preventing training injuries is a second benefit of this tool.