Body Composition, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, and Vitamin D are Associated with Army Combat Fitness Test Performance
Jeffery L. Heileson, Jared M. McGowen, Jose M. Moris, Tomas J. Chapman-Lopez, Ricardo Torres, LesLee Funderburk, Jeffrey S. Forsse
Abstract
Background: The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), an updated and newly developed metric to assess combat readiness, may require specialized exercise and nutritional interventions. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between body composition, erythrocyte long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA), serum vitamin D (VITD) and ACFT performance. Methods: < .05. Results: increase in VITD was associated with 3-point increase in 3DL, HRPU, 2MR scores, and a 13-point increase in the total ACFT score. Conclusions: Our data highlight the importance of measures of muscularity, LBM and FFMI, on ACFT performance. Additionally, EPA and VITD status is associated with various strength, power, and muscular and aerobic endurance components of the ACFT. While these results could help professionals better assess and train military personnel, especially since these measures are modifiable through exercise and dietary interventions, they are ultimately hypothesis generating and warrant further exploration.