Dr. Med. Oliver Erley (Central Institute of the Federal Armed Forces Medical Services Koblenz, Germany) ASSESSMENT OF SOLDIERS' PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE AND FITNESS: A NEW APPROACH COMPRISING VALID TESTING, LINKED DATA AND MODERN QUALITY MANAGEMENT

ASSESSMENT OF SOLDIERS´ PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE AND FITNESS: A NEW APPROACH COMPRISING VALID TESTING, LINKED DATA AND MODERN QUALITY MANAGEMENT

OLIVER ERLEY1, DIETER LEYK1,2, WILLI GORGES1, MAX WUNDERLICH2,
THOMAS RÜTHER2, ALEXANDER SIEVERT2, DIETER ESSFELD2

1 Central Institute of the Federal Armed Forces Medical Services Koblenz, Germany
2 German Sport University, Koln, Germany

Throughout the last decades numerous sport-motric tests have been used in the military to assess soldiers´ physical performance and fitness (1, 3, 5, 7) . However; many of these sport-motric tests fail to meet the quality standards of classic test theory (objectivity, reliability, validity). E.g., even small changes in the execution of sit-ups or chin-ups may result in vast differences in efficiency due to the inherent degrees of freedom in the test. Thus such performance tests have to be considered with some reservations (1, 4, 11, 15).
Acknowledging these shortcomings, the German Bundeswehr identified the need for new means of assessing physical fitness and performance in military personnel (2). A research project was initiated with the aim to develop a new system which would be able to assess basic physical capabilities irrespective of age or gender, at regular intervals, in every soldier throughout the complete working career (4). Strict adherence to quality criteria (objectivity, reliability, validity) was of paramount importance for the assessment of strength, endurance and coordination. For deployment throughout the German Bundeswehr, the individual tests needed to be suitable for a large, inhomogeneous population, for any age and for both genders (5-9). Data acquisition and analysis had to meet all prerequisites and requirements for modern quality management, including scientific research for continuous evaluation and adaptation.
For Bundeswehr-wide deployment the test-battery had to feature additional properties (4): It had to be easy to administer, largely independent of infrastructure and special tools or materials. Additionally, trained personnel should not be necessary for test implementation.