Prescription Exercise Programming in Preparation for the Army Combat Fitness Test
by Jennifer Lentz
TSAC Report
February 2023
Vol 67, Issue 4
This article discusses the importance and impact a qualified fitness professional on the fitness and readiness of soldiers for the United States Army.
Paywall block issue
This article is not configured properly for members or paid content.
isMemberOnly: {{isMemberOnly}} | isPaidContent: {{isPaidContent}}
spc: One or more parts of the product SPC is missing.
Read the full article
View the video
Login to view more
{{discountDesc}} Valid thru {{discountEnds}}
This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} is available with a NSCA membership
or can be purchased for {{prices}}
or can be purchased. Price range: {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions
This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} can be purchased for {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions
Purchase this {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}}. Price range: {{prices}}
Price range includes membership pricing and promotions
This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report
Related Reading
References
1. Anderson, MK, Grier, T, Canham-Chervak, M, Nindl, BC, Bushman, TT, and Jones, BH. Effect of mandatory unit and individual physical training on fitness in military men and women. American Journal of Health Promotion 31(5): 378–387, 2017.
2. Aune, KT, and Powers, JM. Injuries in an extreme conditioning program. Sports Health 9(1): 52-58, 2017
3. Barranco-Ruiz, Y, Villa-González, E, Martínez-Amat, A, and Da Silva-Grigoletto, ME. Prevalence of injuries in exercise programs based on Crossfit®, cross training and high-intensity functional training methodologies: A systematic review. Journal of Human Kinetics 73(1): 251-265, 2020.
4. Bedingfield, M. US Army Non-Deployable Report - July 2018. Washington DC, Army Dot; 2018 September 13, 2008.
5. Canino, MC, Foulis, SA, and Zambraski, EJ. U.S. Army physical demands study: Differences in physical fitness and occupational task performance between trainees and active duty Soldiers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 33(7): 1864-1870, 2019.
6. Cavedon, V, Milanese, C, Marchi, A, and Zancanaro, C. Different amount of training affects body composition and performance in high-intensity functional training participants. PLoS ONE 14(8): 1-16, 2020.
7. Davis, JD, Orr, R, Knapik, JJ, and Harris, D. Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) scores and demographics of US Army pre-ranger candidates. Military Medicine 185(5/6): e788-e794, 2020.
8. Dexheimer, JD, Schroeder, ET, Sawyer, BJ, Pettitt, RW, Aguinaldo, AL, and Torrence, WA. Physiological performance measures as indicators of CrossFit® performance. Sports 7(4): 93, 2019.
9. Dulla, J. Factors impacting first responder and military recruits and how certified strength and conditioning professionals are needed now more than ever. NSCA TSAC Report 47: 32-38, 2017.
10. Evans, R. The fighter pilot – A 21st century tactical athlete. TSAC Report 62(2): 12-17, 2021.
11. Falk Neto, JH, and Kennedy, MD. The multimodal nature of high-intensity functional training: Potential applications to improve sport performance. Sports 7(2): 33, 2019.
12. Feito, Y, Brown, C, and Olmos, A. A content analysis of the high-intensity functional training literature: A look at the past and directions for the future. Human Movement 20(2): 1-15, 2019.
13. Gagestein, AG. Program design for Soldiers. NSAC TSAC Report 42: 30-35, 2018.
14. Grier, T, Canham-Chervak, M, McNulty, V, and Jones, B. Extreme conditioning programs and injury risk in a US Army Brigade Combat Team. US Army Medical Department Journal 36-47, 2013.
15. Gutierrez, E. Soldier musculoskeletal injuries, risk factors, and recommendations. NSCA TSAC Report 53: 6, 2019.
16. Haddock, CK, Poston, WSC, Heinrich, KM, Jahnke, SA, and Jitnarin, N. The benefits of high-intensity functional training fitness programs for military personnel. Military Medicine 181(11): e1508-e1514, 2016.
17. Hak, PT, Hodzovic, E, and Hickey, B. The nature and prevalence of injury during CF training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 22, 2013.
18. Hülsmann, M, Reinecke, K, Barthel, T, and Reinsberger, C. Musculoskeletal injuries in CrossFit®: A systematic review and meta-analysis of injury rates and locations. German Journal of Sports Medicine 72(7): 351-357, 2021.
19. Kelly, TK, Masi, R, Walker, B, Knapp, S, Leuschner, KJ, and Kelly, TK. An assessment of the Army’s Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Program. Rand Health Quarterly 3(2): 8, 2013.
20. Kimmons, S. OPAT reducing trainee attrition, avoiding millions in wasted training dollars, officials say. Army News Service, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2022 from https://www.army. mil/article/207956/opat_reducing_trainee_attrition_avoiding_ millions_in_wasted_training_dollars_officials_say.
21. Klimek, C, Ashbeck, C, Brook, AJ, and Durall, C. Are injuries more common with CrossFit training than other forms of exercise? Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 27(3): 295-299 2018.
22. Kliszczewicz, B, McKenzie, M, and Nickerson, B. Physiological adaptations following a four-week of high-intensity functional training. Vojnosanitetski Pregled: Military Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal of Serbia 76(3): 272-277, 2019.
23. Kolomiitseva, O, Prykhodko, I, Prikhodko, A, Anatskyi, R, Turchynov, A, Fishev, S, et al. Efficiency of physical education of university students based on the motivation choice of the CrossFit program. Physical Activity Review 8(1): 26-38, 2020.
24. Metoyer, C, and Allen, K. Progressive overload method for physical training program in ROTC Cadets. TSAC Report 44: 18-20, 2017.
25. Meyer, J, Morrison, J, and Zuniga, J. The benefits and risks of CrossFit: A systematic review. Workplace Health Safety 65(12): 612-618, 2017.
26. Montalvo, AM, Shaefer, H, Rodriguez, B, Li, T, Epnere, K, and Myer, GD. Retrospective injury epidemiology and risk factors for injury in CrossFit. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 16(1): 53, 2017.
27. Moore, JH, Goffar, SL, Teyhen, DS, Pendergrass, TL, Childs, JD, and Ficke, JR. The role of US military physical therapists during recent combat campaigns. Physical Therapy 93(9): 1268-1275, 2013.
28. Myers, M. A new army PT test is on its way. This is not a drill. The Army Times, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2022 from https://www. armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/07/09/a-new-army-pt-testis- on-its-way-this-is-not-a-drill/.
29. Posnakidis, G, Aphamis, G, and Giannaki, CD. High-intensity functional training improves cardiorespiratory fitness and neuromuscular performance without inflammation or muscle damage. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 36(3): 615-623, 2022.
30. Rhon, DI, Molloy, JM, Monnier, A, Hando, BR, and Newman, PM. Much work remains to reach consensus on musculoskeletal injury risk in military service members: A systematic review with metaanalysis. European Journal of Sport Science 22(1): 16-34, 2021.
31. Smith, S. THOR3: The Army’s answer to human optimization. Military.com. 2022. Retrieved February 2022 from https:// www.military.com/military-fitness/thor3-armys-answerhuman- optimization.
32. United States Air Force Weapons School. Nellis Air Force Base. Retrieved March 2021 from https://www.nellis.af.mil/ About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/284156/united-states-airforceweapons- school/.
33. US Army Public Affairs. Army meets fiscal year 2021 end strength goal. U.S. Army. 2021. Retrieved November 2021 from https://www.army.mil/article/251298/army_meets_fiscal_ year_2021_end_strength_goal.
34. US Special Operations Command Office of Communication (USSOCOM). Fact Book 2022. n.d. Retrieved January 2022 from https://www.socom.mil/latest-factbook.
35. Weisenthal, BM, Beck, CA, Maloney, MD, DeHave, KE, and Giordano, BD. Injury rate and patterns among CF athletes. American Journal of Sports Medicine 2(4): 2014
36. Winkie, D. This new ARSOF gym is better than most Division I football facilities. ArmyTimes. 2021. Retrieved February 2022 from https://www.armytimes.com/off-duty/militaryculture/ 2021/08/30/this-new-arsof-gym-is-better-than-mostdivision- i-football-facilities/.
37. Zummo, M. Boots on the ground: Real-world strength and conditioning implementation at the battalion level. TSAC Report 59: 28-30, 2021.
