A lower-limb functional capacity test for enlistment into Swedish Armed Forces ranger units

Abstract

The present work validated minimal performance standards for a lower-limb functional capacity test used at enrollment to predict the risk of discharge from strenuous military ranger training in the Swedish Armed Forces. To set a relevant level of performance, trained conscripts in a ranger unit (n = 38) performed a maximal physical fitness test, including the newly developed ranger test, during the last week of their 1-year basic training. The following year, basic training started with an initial strength test performed by all conscripts (n = 285). They performed the ranger test as a submaximal one. The relative risk was high (risk ratio, 48.5) for discharge attributable to knee problems for conscripts who failed the submaximal ranger test during the initial strength test. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.91 (SE, 0.09) for failing the test. The submaximal ranger test had a high discriminating ability and predictive value for discharge caused by knee problems. Copyright © by Association of Military Surgeons of U.S., 2006.