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SOME LABORATORY AND FIELD OBSERVATIONS ON THE HARVARD PACK TEST
Author(s) -
Ladell W. S. S.,
Kenney R. A.
Publication year - 1955
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology and cognate medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0033-5541
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1955.sp001129
Subject(s) - index (typography) , test (biology) , physical fitness , pulse rate , statistics , medicine , physical therapy , demography , mathematics , biology , blood pressure , computer science , sociology , world wide web , paleontology
1. In laboratory trials the effects on the fitness index of varying stepping rate, stool height and time of pulse counts, from the standard ones used in the Harvard pack test, were investigated statistically. 2. The observed index was diminished by decreasing the stepping rate or by increasing the stool height. No significant effect on the index was found when the final pulse count was taken earlier than standard. 3. The validity of comparisons between indices determined using the standard or non‐standard routines respectively is discussed. 4. In field trials a fall in the mean fitness index of 100 African troops in the course of a two‐month military exercise was found comparable to that attributed by other workers to “tropical fatigue”. 5. The possible causes of this deterioration in fitness are examined. The most probable appeared to be repeated daily physical stress accompanied by chronic lack of sleep.