Preparatory Strength and Endurance Training for US Army Basic Combat Training

Prospective recruits entering basic combat training (BCT) without adequate strength and endurance conditioning may be predisposed to failing the army physical fitness test (APFT) and/or obtaining musculoskeletal injuries, resulting in subsequent discharge from the army. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to overview the physical demands of BCT and present guidelines for the strength and conditioning professional tasked with training the prospective recruit.