Sports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
Independent Researcher, Holly Ridge, North Carolina.
J Strength Cond Res. 2024 Jul 1;38(7):1314-1320. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004788. Epub 2024 Apr 25.
Sax van der Weyden, M, Merrigan, JJ, Newman, K, Hahn, J, and Martin, J. Army Combat Fitness Test scores moderate cognitive function improvements after a ruck march: A hierarchical linear model approach. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): 1314-1320, 2024-Heavy load carriage is a common task for military personnel and can lead to undue physical and mental fatigue. The purpose of this study was to assess effects of load carriage on cognitive function (CF) and the role individual characteristics play in CF responses. Anthropometrics/body composition, demographics, and Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) scores were gathered from 47 Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets. Cadets' CF was assessed through the concentration task grid (CTG) before (preruck), immediately after (postruck), and 3 weeks after (follow-up) a 16.09- to 19.31-km ruck march. Hierarchical linear modeling was used, with α < 0.05. The final model revealed growth, or improvement, in CF from preruck to postruck with growth decelerating, but still improved, at follow-up. The load carriage bout improved CF in most cadets, with average growth from 5.67- to 7.20-grid squares found. However, postruck CF did not return to the same level as a controlled follow-up (9.69). Sex (2.46, female), familiarity with the CTG (1.99), ACFT total scores (0.009), and relative ruck mass (-0.09) were all significant predictors of postruck CF. Army Combat Fitness Test scores (0.008) were also significant predictors of the slope between preruck and postruck, such that an ACFT score 59 points above average would result in a 1-grid square greater improvement in CF postruck. The significance of ACFT scores, lower relative ruck mass, and familiarization highlights the importance physical and mental preparation for desirable CF outcomes after occupational tasks.
萨克斯·范德维登、M、梅里根、JJ、纽曼、K、哈恩、J 和马丁，J. 负重行军后陆军战斗体能测试（ACFT）成绩可改善认知功能：层级线性模型方法。《力量与体能研究》38(7)：1314-1320，2024 年-重载运输是军事人员的常见任务，可能导致不必要的身体和精神疲劳。本研究的目的是评估负载对认知功能（CF）的影响以及个体特征在 CF 反应中的作用。从 47 名后备军官训练队学员中收集了人体测量/身体成分、人口统计学和陆军战斗体能测试（ACFT）成绩。在 16.09-19.31 公里负重行军前（行军前）、后（行军后）和 3 周后（随访），通过集中任务网格（CTG）评估学员的 CF。使用层级线性建模，α<0.05。最终模型显示，从行军前到行军后的 CF 呈增长趋势，增长速度减缓，但随访时仍有所改善。负重行军改善了大多数学员的 CF，平均增长了 5.67-7.20 个网格。然而，行军后的 CF 并没有恢复到与对照随访相同的水平（9.69）。性别（2.46，女性）、对 CTG 的熟悉程度（1.99）、ACFT 总分（0.009）和相对负重质量（-0.09）都是行军后 CF 的显著预测因子。ACFT 成绩（0.008）也是行军前和行军后斜率的显著预测因子，即 ACFT 成绩高出平均 59 分，会导致行军后 CF 提高 1 个网格。ACFT 成绩、相对负重质量较低和熟悉度的重要性突出了身体和精神准备对职业任务后理想 CF 结果的重要性。
