Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1985

Thesis Director

William F. Buckellew

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare two training programs on male Reserve Officers Training Corps students as it is related to a passing score on the Army Physical Readiness Test.

The subjects were sixteen volunteer students who were randomly placed in two groups, formal and informal. Both groups were given a pretest, before beginning the study, to determine if they were equal.

The subjects in both groups trained for four weeks to prepare for the Army physical fitness test. Each group trained three times a week during the training period. The formal group's training was restricted to performing the three events on the Army Physical Readiness Test; push ups and sit ups in a two minute time limit for each event, and the two mile run. The informal group was allowed to use the universal weight machines, free weights, dip bars and chin up bar. They were allowed to perform as many repetitions as they desired of any exercise during the training period. The only requirement was to run a minimum of two miles at the conclusion of each training period.

The pretest and posttest were administered to both groups simultaneously. As the subject finished the push up and sit up portions of the test, the number of repetitions for each event was placed on their score cards. The subjects ran eight laps around the one quarter mile track on the three inside lanes. The alternate test was sixteen laps on the inside lanes of the indoor track. During the two mile run, the timer called the time off; as each subject finished the run, the timer recorded their times. The times were recorded to the nearest second on the stop watch.

The data were analyzed utilizing the t-test at the .05 level of significance. The comparison of the results of the formal and informal group's pretest scores were not significant. The comparison of the results of the formal and informal group's posttest scores were not significant. The comparison of the results of the formal group's pretest and posttest scores were not significant. The comparison of the results of the informal group's pretest and posttest scores were not significant.

Based on the findings of this investigation the following conclusion appears warranted. There is no difference in the performance results on the Army Physical Readiness Test utilizing a formal or an informal training program.

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