Research Paper Title
Sex Differences in Training Loads during British Army Basic Training.
Background
To compare training loads between men and women during 14-weeks of British Army standard entry basic training.
Methods
Thirty-one male (mean ± SD, age 21 ± 4 years, height 1.78 ± 0.08 m, mass 77.1 ± 10.5 kg) and 28 female (age 22 ± 4 years, height 1.65 ± 0.05 m, mass 63.9 ± 8.9 kg) British Army recruits had external (distance) and internal (heart rate [HR], training impulse [TRIMP], ratings of perceived exertion [RPE]) training loads measured during weeks 1, 2, 6, 12 and 13 of basic training. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured during weeks 1-2 and 12-13.
Results
- Daily distance was higher for men than women (13,508 ± 666 vs 11,866 ± 491 m, respectively, P < 0.001).
- Average daily HR (29 ± 3 vs 30 ± 3% HR reserve) and RPE (4 ± 1 vs 4 ± 1) were not different between men and women, respectively (P ≥ 0.495).
- Daily TRIMP was higher for women than men (492 ± 130 vs 261 ± 145 au, respectively, P < 0.001).
- TEE was higher for men than women during weeks 1-2 (4020 ± 620 vs 2847 ± 323 kcal/d, respectively) and 12-13 (4253 ± 556 vs 3390 ± 344 kcal/d, respectively) (P < 0.001).
- Daily RPE, HR and TRIMP were related to daily distance (R = 0.18-0.57, P ≤ 0.037), and daily RPE was related to daily TRIMP and HR (R = 0.37-0.77, P ≤ 0.001).
Conclusions
Sex differences in training loads could contribute to the greater injury risk for women during basic training. Daily RPE appears a practical option for measuring internal training load during military training.
Reference
O’Leary, T.J., Saunders, S.C., McGuire, S.J., Venables, M.C. & Izard, R.M. (2018) Sex Differences in Training Loads during British Army Basic Training. Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001716. [Epub ahead of print].
