Combat Readiness Test: Design and Validation in the Iranian Military

Background and Aim: Physical fitness is a major contributor to combat readiness, and current military tests do not measure it appropriately. The purpose of this study was to design a combat readiness test that could reliably and consistently determine the level of physical fitness distinctly required prior to deployment into the battlefield. Methods: The subjects of this study were military personnel with an average age of 30.5±4.14 years. After the initial design of the test, content, criterion and discriminant validity were assessed. The reliability was evaluated through the test-retest method. Physiological parameters such as heart rate and blood lactate as well as Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were used to determine the severity of the designed test. Data analysis was done by SPSS-18. Results: The test was designed in a circuit and consisted of 11 items. After validity assessment, questions with CVI (content validity index) and CVR (content validity ratio) of less than the limit were modified and corrected. The validation process was repeated until the desired amount of CVR of 0.56 and the CVI greater than 0.79 were obtained. There was a positive correlation between the time of the designed test and the time of the American army combat readiness Test (ACRT). The time taken to complete the test was significantly different between elite and non-elite volunteers was significantly different. A significant correlation was found between test and retest results. Conclusion: Results indicate that the test has acceptable content validity, criterion, discriminant validity, and reliability. The physiological variables of heart rate and blood lactate concentration and RPE before and after the test showed that the severity of the test was maximal.