I agree with much of the article, however I believe running has its place. It’s the cardio modality that requires the least coordination, equipment and planning to execute — simply put on some running shoes and go. I joined the army when the ACFT was being rolled out so I haven’t personally experienced the runners cult you described but I believe it exists. Despite this, I think the average soldier would be in better conditioning and overall health with more cardio, not less. Additionally, while cross training with implements such as the assault bike undoubtedly is beneficial and will lead to improvements in anaerobic/aerobic capacity, the principle of specificity still applies. The most efficient way to get better at running (and combat tasks like sprinting from cover to cover) is to run and sprint. At the end of the day, soldiers will be spending time and maneuvering on their feet. I think implementing smarter cardio programming (specifically a more polarized approach, HIIT and easy runs) in addition to more METCONs and cross training like you described in the article would be best.
- 'Soldiers need "more cardio" to be fit'. Be sure to check out tthis coming weekend's post when I discuss Koichi Irisawa and Izumi Tabata's insights. Their research shows anaerobic gains provide aerobic ones, as well as improving overall VO2Max.
- 'Running takes less equipment'. In some ways, definitionally, yes it does. Though I'd recommend soldiers look at workouts like 'It's Just A Mile' and 'It's Still Just A Mile' for no-kit alternatives that'll get them a lot more than another four mile jog.
But 'less equipment' isn't necessarily helping us get ready. If ready means ready for combat, then you're almost always going to have weight. Kit, weapons, assault packs; we need to train our bodies to move under load if we're going to be ready to do 'combat tasks like sprinting from cover to cover'. That's not running, that's burpee sprints.
Your use of 'cross training with implements' caught my eye, because I haven't thought of what I'm doing as 'cross training'. Cross training is when an athlete with a prescribed regimen focused on a peculiar form of fitness adds a different regimen to complement their fitness. But soldiers aren't training for a narrow form of fitness, or they shouldn't be. Being ready means using a diversity of implements and movements.
- In the end, I'm not saying you shouldn't run a ton of long miles, I'm arguing, with my data, that you don't have to. But CSM Naumann, who I've watched coach younger soldiers on how to lift and diversify their fitness, reached out with a great question: 'But what if I just like to run?'
My response is the same as what I started with in G.1:
'The best form of exercise is the thing you’ll actually do, so find the forms of fitness you actually enjoy.
Take some time to do a self-assessment. What do you want to get better at? What can you do? Some workouts require certain kit, others the right technique. All of them require time. Clearing those three-foot-walls before you start a new program is key to maximizing your success.'
I agree with much of the article, however I believe running has its place. It’s the cardio modality that requires the least coordination, equipment and planning to execute — simply put on some running shoes and go. I joined the army when the ACFT was being rolled out so I haven’t personally experienced the runners cult you described but I believe it exists. Despite this, I think the average soldier would be in better conditioning and overall health with more cardio, not less. Additionally, while cross training with implements such as the assault bike undoubtedly is beneficial and will lead to improvements in anaerobic/aerobic capacity, the principle of specificity still applies. The most efficient way to get better at running (and combat tasks like sprinting from cover to cover) is to run and sprint. At the end of the day, soldiers will be spending time and maneuvering on their feet. I think implementing smarter cardio programming (specifically a more polarized approach, HIIT and easy runs) in addition to more METCONs and cross training like you described in the article would be best.
Mike
Thank you for the comment, and taking the time to respond. I had similar responses on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erik-davis-73041b82_g4-i-dont-run-activity-7281049137867808772-Qjgn)
A few points that came up across the all:
- 'Soldiers need "more cardio" to be fit'. Be sure to check out tthis coming weekend's post when I discuss Koichi Irisawa and Izumi Tabata's insights. Their research shows anaerobic gains provide aerobic ones, as well as improving overall VO2Max.
- 'Running takes less equipment'. In some ways, definitionally, yes it does. Though I'd recommend soldiers look at workouts like 'It's Just A Mile' and 'It's Still Just A Mile' for no-kit alternatives that'll get them a lot more than another four mile jog.
But 'less equipment' isn't necessarily helping us get ready. If ready means ready for combat, then you're almost always going to have weight. Kit, weapons, assault packs; we need to train our bodies to move under load if we're going to be ready to do 'combat tasks like sprinting from cover to cover'. That's not running, that's burpee sprints.
Your use of 'cross training with implements' caught my eye, because I haven't thought of what I'm doing as 'cross training'. Cross training is when an athlete with a prescribed regimen focused on a peculiar form of fitness adds a different regimen to complement their fitness. But soldiers aren't training for a narrow form of fitness, or they shouldn't be. Being ready means using a diversity of implements and movements.
- In the end, I'm not saying you shouldn't run a ton of long miles, I'm arguing, with my data, that you don't have to. But CSM Naumann, who I've watched coach younger soldiers on how to lift and diversify their fitness, reached out with a great question: 'But what if I just like to run?'
My response is the same as what I started with in G.1:
https://downrangedata.substack.com/i/152788756/before-you-start-a-new-fitness-program
'The best form of exercise is the thing you’ll actually do, so find the forms of fitness you actually enjoy.
Take some time to do a self-assessment. What do you want to get better at? What can you do? Some workouts require certain kit, others the right technique. All of them require time. Clearing those three-foot-walls before you start a new program is key to maximizing your success.'