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

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.

Figure 1

Physical activity measures across the 12 week BMT program (mean ± 95% confidence intervals). Note: Numbers above data points denote a significant difference to the detailed week (p < 0.05).

Figure 2

Changes in subjective assessments of training demands and wellbeing across the 12-week BMT program (mean ± 95% confidence intervals). Note: RPE, rating of perceived exertion; MTDS, multi-component training distress scale; NASA TLX, National Aeronautical Space Agency task load index; au, arbitrary units. Numbers above data points denote a significant difference to the detailed week (p < 0.05).