What Drives Army Fitness Testing Success? Analysis of Body Composition, Performance, and Predictive Measures Among ROTC Cadets

Abstract

Abstract Shaul, Y, Sax van der Weyden, M, and Martin, J. What drives army fitness testing ACFT success? Analysis of body composition, performance, and predictive measures among ROTC cadets. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) was introduced as multidomain assessment of strength, power, agility, and endurance. However, since the introduction of the ACFT, it was modified to the Army Fitness Test (AFT). This study examined sex differences in body composition and ACFT performance among Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, with attention to, performance stratification and longitudinal trends. Subjects included 177 cadets (134/43 M/F) in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Sex differences were observed in body composition and raw ACFT scores, but not in total ACFT scores. Men showed stronger associations between Fat-Free Mass (FFM) and FFM Index (FFMI) with strength-power events. Repeated-measures agreement between changes in ACFT scores and changes in % body fat was small ( κ = 0.35) and slight for FFM ( κ = 0.18). Army Combat Fitness Test performance differed by class year (η 2 = 0.23, p < 0.001), but no effect in high performers (top 5%). The largest differences in body composition and performance occurred between the lowest and highest quintiles, with little variation across mid-quintiles. Hand Release Push-Ups and plank together predicted total ACFT score ( R 2 = 0.625), while body composition had limited predictive value overall ( R 2 ≤ 0.138), but greater in top performers ( R 2 < 0.432). Rescoring cadet performance using the AFT sex-neutral combat standard substantially altered failure rates and body composition exemption eligibility, particularly among female cadets. These findings support a clustered approach to programming for ROTC cadets, recognizing that single-program approaches may overlook individual-level differences. The influence of FFM and FFMI, combined with sex-specific relationships to ACFT performance, supports training that emphasizes lean mass development.