Sex-Specific Physical Performance Adaptive Responses Are Elicited After 10 Weeks of Load Carriage Conditioning

Introduction The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize sex-specific physical and psychophysical performance adaptations in response to a novel 10-week training program. Materials and Methods Fifteen males and thirteen females completed a standardized load carriage task (5 km at 5.5 km(.)h(-1), wearing a 23 kg torso-borne vest) before and after 10 weeks of resistance and load carriage training. Psychophysical responses (i.e., heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion) were measured throughout the load carriage task. Physical performance (i.e., countermovement and squat jumps, push-ups, sit-ups, and beep test) was measured at before, mid-way, and after the training program (weeks 0, 6, and 11, respectively). Results Training elicited significant improvements in squat jump maximal force, push-ups, and beep test performance (P < .05). Males outperformed females in all performance measures, with interactions (time, sex) for push-ups, sit-ups, and beep test performance. After training, aerobic capacity improved by 5.4% (42.9 mL center dot kg(-1)center dot min(-1) to 45.2 mL center dot kg(-1)center dot min(-1)) in males but did not improve in females. Psychophysical responses decreased for both sexes (P < .05) during the load carriage task post-training. Conclusion While 10 weeks of standardized training elicited positive adaptations in both physical and psychophysical performance, sex-specific differences were still evident. To lessen these differences, sex-specific training should be considered to optimize load carriage performance.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify and characterize sex-specific physical and psychophysical performance adaptations in response to a novel 10-week training program. The findings showed that the training significantly improved physical performance and psychophysical responses in males, but not in females. The results highlighted the importance of considering sex-specific training to optimize load carriage performance.