Effect of a Lower Extremity Preventive Training Program on Physical Performance Scores in Military Recruits. Issue 11 (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peck, Karen Y.; DiStefano, Lindsay J.; Marshall, Stephen W.; Padua, Darin A.; Beutler, Anthony I.; de la Motte, Sarah J.; Frank, Barnett S.; Martinez, Jessica C.; Cameron, Kenneth L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of strength and conditioning research. Volume 31:Issue 11(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: injury risk -- general fitness -- athlete development; Physical education and training -- Periodicals; Weight training -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Physical fitness -- Periodicals; 613.7
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001792
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-8011

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Peck, KY, DiStefano, LJ, Marshall, SW, Padua, DA, Beutler, AI, de la Motte, SJ, Frank, BS, Martinez, JC, and Cameron, KL. Effect of a lower extremity preventive training program on physical performance scores in military recruits. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 3146–3157, 2017—Exercise-based preventive training programs are designed to improve movement patterns associated with lower extremity injury risk; however, the impact of these programs on general physical fitness has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare fitness scores between participants in a preventive training program and a control group. One thousand sixty-eight freshmen from a U.S. Service Academy were cluster-randomized into either the intervention or control group during 6 weeks of summer training. The intervention group performed a preventive training program, specifically the Dynamic Integrated Movement Enhancement (DIME), which is designed to improve lower extremity movement patterns. The control group performed the Army Preparation Drill (PD), a warm-up designed to prepare soldiers for training. Main outcome measures were the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) raw and scaled (for age and sex) scores. Independent t tests were used to assess between-group differences. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to control for the influence of confounding variables. Dynamic Integrated Movement Enhancement group participants completed the APFT 2-mile run 20 seconds faster compared with the PD group ( p < 0.001), which corresponded with significantly higher scaled scores ( p < 0.001). Army Physical Fitness Test push-up scores were significantly higher in the DIME group ( p = 0.041), but there were no significant differences in APFT sit-up scores. The DIME group had significantly higher total APFT scores compared with the PD group ( p < 0.001). Similar results were observed in multivariable models after controlling for sex and body mass index (BMI). Committing time to the implementation of a preventive training program does not appear to negatively affect fitness test scores.