Justified concerns? An exploration of the leg tuck in a tactical population

The leg tuck was replaced by the plank in the Army Combat Fitness Test, in part because itwas felt it discriminated against women. There is limited leg tuck research, including between-sexcomparisons and relationships with other fitness tests. This study investigated the leg tuck in afirefighter trainee population (274 males, 31 females). Archival fitness test data included: Illinoisagility test (IAT); push-ups; pull-ups; leg tucks; multistage fitness test; 4.54 kg backwards overheadmedicine ball throw (BOMBT); 10-repetition maximum deadlift; and 18 kg kettlebell farmer’s carryover a 91.44 m course. Independent samples t-tests (p < 0.05) and effect sizes (d) compared the sexes.Partial correlations and stepwise regression (controlling for sex; p < 0.05) calculated relationshipsbetween the leg tuck with the other tests. Male trainees outperformed females in all tests (p 0.003).The largest difference was for the BOMBT (d = 2.59) not the leg tuck (d = 1.28). The strongest leg tuckrelationships were with pull-ups (r = 0.790) and push-ups (r = 0.553). Sex, pull-ups, and push-upspredicted the leg tuck (r2 = 0.674). Approximately 80% of the females could complete one leg tuck,although female personnel may require specific strength and power training. Pulling strength maybe a determining factor in leg tuck performance, which is likely not indicated by the plank.