Simpson Richard J, Gray Susan C, Florida-James Geraint D
School of Life Sciences, Napier University, Edinburgh, UK.
J Sports Sci. 2006 Jun;24(6):597-604. doi: 10.1080/02640410500230811.
The aim of this study was to compare selected physiological variables and performance markers of soldiers from two "elite" units of the British Army. Ten soldiers from each of the two units were recruited for this study (n = 20). All participants completed three tests while carrying a 20 kg backpack load: (1) a maximal treadmill test using the Bruce protocol; (2) a 2 mile backpack run test specific to Unit A on a consistently flat tarmac road; and (3) a 29 km time-trial over hilly terrain typical of a mountainous area used by Unit B for performance assessment. Heart rate, maximal blood lactate concentration and performance (run time) were assessed during all three tests, with peak oxygen uptake also being measured during the maximal treadmill test. Measurements of anthropometry, isokinetic strength and mental toughness (MT48) were also recorded. There were no significant differences in terms of performance markers between the units (P > 0.05). Performance on the maximal treadmill test correlated with performance on the 2 mile backpack run test (r = -0.57) and 29 km time-trial (r = -0.66). Performance on the 2 mile backpack run test in turn correlated with 29 km time-trial performance (r = -0.77), accounting for 59% of the variance. In conclusion, the maximal treadmill test and the 2 mile backpack run test are useful indicators of performance on the arduous hill march and could be employed in the screening and selection of potential recruits.
本研究旨在比较英国陆军两个“精英”部队士兵的选定生理变量和性能指标。从这两个部队各招募了10名士兵参与本研究（n = 20）。所有参与者在背负20公斤背包负重的情况下完成了三项测试：（1）使用布鲁斯方案的最大跑步机测试；（2）在平坦柏油路上进行的特定于A部队的2英里背包跑步测试；（3）在B部队用于性能评估的典型山区丘陵地形上进行的29公里计时赛。在所有三项测试过程中评估心率、最大血乳酸浓度和性能（跑步时间），在最大跑步机测试期间还测量了峰值摄氧量。还记录了人体测量学、等速肌力和心理韧性（MT48）的测量结果。两支部队在性能指标方面没有显著差异（P > 0.05）。最大跑步机测试的性能与2英里背包跑步测试的性能相关（r = -0.57）以及与29公里计时赛的性能相关（r = -0.66）。2英里背包跑步测试的性能又与29公里计时赛的性能相关（r = -0.77），占方差的59%。总之，最大跑步机测试和2英里背包跑步测试是艰苦山地行军中性能的有用指标，可用于潜在新兵的筛选和选拔。
