Lifting and Carrying Capacities Relative to Physical Fitness Measures

Abstract : Through the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), the Navy assesses the physical fitness and body composition of its members. Those fitness attributes which contribute to optimal Navy job performance have not yet been fully identified. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which performance of simulated general shipboard work can be predicted by measures of physical capacity. Three tasks representative of general shipboard work were developed - a long duration carry and two maximal box lifting tests. These tasks, as well as, PRT items (including lean body mass LBM from body circumference and weight), other field fitness measures, and Incremental Lift Machine (ILM) tests were performed by 102 Navy men and women. Substitution of broad jump score for LBM offers a small improvement in task prediction. ILM scores offer lift capacity prediction comparable to that obtained from PRT and broad jump scores. LBM, broad jump and ILM scores are all strong indicators of overall body strength. If these prediction methods are to be implemented as screening or selection tools, critical lifting and carrying task parameters for Navy jobs must be defined. In addition, further research is needed to cross-validate results obtained in this study and to expand prediction application.