The effects of 6 weeks training on the physical fitness of female recruits to the British army

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of British army recruit training on the physical fitness and strength of female recruits. A total of 73 females (aged 17–23 years) of a single intake of Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) recruits were tested at the beginning and end of their 6-week recruit training programme at the WRAC training centre, Guildford. The battery of tests comprised the maximal cycle time for a standard NATO test as an indirect method. of determination of maximal oxygen intake (VO2 max) using a cycle ergometer; maximal isometric hand grip strength (Max Grip); maximal isometric 38cm upright pull strength (Max 38) and maximal incremental dynamic lift to 152cm (IDL 152). In addition, body-weight and the sum of biceps, triceps, suprailiac and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured in order to assess alterations in fat-free mass and percentage of body fat (BF). The recruits responded to training with significant increases in mean VO2 max from 45⋅7mlkg-1 min-1 (SD = 5.2) to 46⋅7 mlkg-1 min-1 (SD 4⋅4) or 2⋅2% (p < ⋅05), mean Max Grip from 263⋅1N (SD = 52⋅2) to 304⋅9N (SD = 54⋅0) or 15.9% (p < 0⋅001) and mean IDL 152 from 328⋅0 N (SD = 78⋅1) to 361⋅2 N (SD = 74⋅6) or 10⋅1% (p < 0⋅001). There was a significant increase in the mean body-weight of 0⋅61kg or 1% (p < 0⋅05) mean fat-free mass of 1⋅05kg or 2⋅4% (p < 0⋅001, and a significant reduction in the mean % BF by 3.3% (p < 0⋅001). It is concluded that female recruit training in the British army is effective in terms of increasing aerobic fitness, physical strength and fat-free mass and in reducing the percentage of body fat.