Quantification of Recruit Training Demands and Subjective Wellbeing during Basic Military Training

Sean Bulmer; Jace R Drain; Jamie L Tait; Sean L Corrigan; Paul B Gastin; Brad Aisbett; Timo Rantalainen; Luana C Main

doi:10.3390/ijerph19127360

Quantification of Recruit Training Demands and Subjective Wellbeing during Basic Military Training

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 15;19(12):7360. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127360.

Authors

Sean Bulmer¹, Jace R Drain², Jamie L Tait³, Sean L Corrigan¹, Paul B Gastin⁴, Brad Aisbett³, Timo Rantalainen⁵, Luana C Main³

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
² Defence Science and Technology Group, Fishermans Bend 3207, Australia.
³ Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
⁴ La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3083, Australia.
⁵ Gerontology Research Centre and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland.

Abstract

Purpose: Assess and describe the physical demands and changes in subjective wellbeing of recruits completing the 12 week Australian Army Basic Military Training (BMT) course. Methods: Thirty-five recruits (24.8 ± 6.8 y; 177.4 ± 10.1 cm, 75.6 ± 14.7 kg) consented to daily activity monitoring and weekly measures of subjective wellbeing (Multi-component Training Distress Scale, MTDS). The physical demands of training were assessed via wrist worn activity monitors (Actigraph GT9X accelerometer). Physical fitness changes were assessed by push-ups, sit-ups and multi-stage shuttle run in weeks 2 and 8. Results: All objective and subjective measures significantly changed (p < 0.05) across the 12 week BMT course. In parallel, there was a significant improvement in measures of physical fitness from weeks 2 to 8 (p < 0.001). The greatest disturbance to subjective wellbeing occurred during week 10, which was a period of field training. Weeks 6 and 12 provided opportunities for recovery as reflected by improved wellbeing. Conclusions: The physical demands of training varied across the Australian Army 12 week BMT course and reflected the intended periodization of workload and recovery. Physical fitness improved from week 2 to 8, indicating a positive training response to BMT. Consistent with findings in sport, wellbeing measures were sensitive to fluctuations in training stress and appear to have utility for individual management of personnel in the military training environment.

Keywords: allostatic load; army; monitoring; recruit; self-report; soldier.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Humans
Military Personnel*
Physical Fitness / physiology

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a Human Performance Research Network grant from the Commonwealth of Australia represented by The Defence and Science Technology Group of the Department of Defence.