Accession Number : ADA333437

Title :   Effects of a Specifically Designed Physical Conditioning Program on the Load Carriage and Lifting Performance of Female Soldiers.

Descriptive Note : Technical rept.

Corporate Author : ARMY RESEARCH INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE NATICK MA

Personal Author(s) : Harman, Everett ; Frykman, Peter ; Palmer, Christopher ; Lammi, Eric ; Reynolds, Katy

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Report Date : NOV 1997

Pagination or Media Count : 112

Abstract : Forty-six women were studied to determine whether their ability to perform "very heavy" Army jobs could be improved by a specially designed 24-week physical training program administered within normal Army time constraints; 32 subjects remained for the entire testing and training program. The training program proved effective. The weight of boxes the women could lift to three different heights improved between 30% and 47%. After training, the average box-weight the women could lift onto a truck was 118 pounds, 81% of the Army male value. The number of 40-pound boxes the women could lift onto a truck in 10 minutes increased from 106 to 140. The number of 40-pound boxes that could be lifted off the ground, carried 25 feet and placed onto a truck increased from 53 to 62. Vertical jump and standing long jump distance increased 20% and 15% respectively. The speed at which a 75 pound backpack could be carried over a 2-mile mixed-terrain course increased from 3.4 to 4.4 miles per hour. Before the training, only 24% of the women could qualify for "very heavy" Army jobs; after the training, 78% could qualify. Body composition improved as well.

Descriptors :   *JOB TRAINING, *STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY), *PHYSICAL FITNESS, JOBS, ARMY PERSONNEL, BOXES, VERTICAL ORIENTATION, LONG RANGE(DISTANCE), WEIGHT, HUMAN BODY, MALES, LIFT, WOMEN, RESISTANCE(BIOLOGY).

Subject Categories : ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
      STRESS PHYSIOLOGY

Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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