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Abt, J.

Beals, K.

Eagle, S.

Lephart, S.

Sell, T.

Wood, D.

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Physical Performance Differences in Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) Operator Cohorts Separated by Demographics    Eagle S, Abt J, FACSM, Beals K, Wood D, Lephart S, FACSM, Sell T. University of       Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, Department of the Navy  U.S. Navy SEALs must maintain elite physical fitness throughout their careers, but there is little previous research investigating how rank and injury rates impact SEAL fitness. PURPOSE: Investigate differences in a performance testing protocol and self-reported injury history survey between cohorts grouped by similar rank and prior musculoskeletal injuries. METHODS: A total of 255 Operators (age: 28.5±5.9 years, height: 70.1±2.5 inches, weight: 188.7±20.8 pounds) participated in testing of body composition (%), muscular strength (%BW), flexibility (°), anaerobic power/capacity (W/kg), aerobic capacity (mL/kg/min), peak vertical ground reaction force (%BW) and joint landing angles (°). The groups were stratified based on similar-level ranks (younger officers: O1-O3, older officers O4-O6, younger enlisted E4-E6, older enlisted E7-E9) and above or below the mean (3.4±2.9 injuries) for self-reported injury history throughout the lifespan. Significant results had a p-value of <0.05. RESULTS: O1-O3 and E4-E6 had greater shoulder external rotation strength than E7-E9 (46.7±7.0, 37.9±7.7; 42.8± 6.5, 37.9±7.7). O1-O3 and E4-E6 had less body fat (15.8±5.7, 19.9±7.3; 16.1±5.1, 19.9±7.3) and higher aerobic capacity (52.4±7.6, 46.6±6.0; 51.1±6.1, 46.6±6.0) than E7-E9. Subjects reporting ≤3 injuries demonstrated greater strength in shoulder external rotation (47.6±11.9, 44.3±7.3), ankle inversion (39.6±5.6, 37.9±6.7), and ankle eversion (50.9±7.8, 48.0±9.4) than those reporting >3 injuries. Subjects with ≤3 injuries had greater left hip extension (17.7±3.0, 16.9±2.9) and left trunk rotation range of motion (58.3±11.2, 54.8±10.5) than subjects with >3 injuries. Subjects with ≤3 injuries had lesser peak vertical ground reaction force (189.5±48.0, 211.7±75.4), lesser hip abduction angle at initial contact (-6.0±3.1, -4.5±3.7), and lesser knee varus angle at initial contact (2.8±3.0, 3.9±2.9) than subjects with >3 injuries. CONCLUSION: Differences in job requirements could negatively affect performance measures in higher-ranked Operators. SEALs with numerous injuries throughout their lifespan may benefit from strengthening the dynamic stabilizers of the ankle, balancing side-to-side range of motion, and practicing optimal landing mechanics to prevent further injuries.      Supported by the by the Office of Naval Research, grant number #N00014-11-1-0929. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Office of Naval Research, the U.S. Navy, or Naval Special Warfare Command.	    	  

Physical Performance Differences in Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) Operator Cohorts Separated by Demographics

http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2774&context=ijesab

Physical Performance Differences in Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) Operator Cohorts Separated by Demographics

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