By Rob Shaul
MTI is calling for remote lab rats for an upcoming, narrow and focused, 3.5 weeks, 5-day/week Mini-Study testing the effectiveness of MTI’s Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) programming.
We hope to test (1) the effectiveness of MTI’s full-equipped ACFT programming, and our limited equipment ACFT Training Plan to improve ACFT scores, and; (2) as well as compare the results between the two plans.
This will be a focused study on the ACFT.
This mini-study will begin Monday, October 5, 2020. Deadline to apply is 1700 Mountain Time, Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
Details
Lab Rats will be broken into 2 groups: Group A, and Group B. Both groups will complete the full ACFT, , then each will complete different programming.
Group A will complete the first 3.5 weeks of MTI’s ACFT Training Plan – which requires access to the following equipment:
- Stopwatch with a repeating countdown timer (Timex Ironman or smartphone will work)
- Running area (track or other) with known 800m and 1-mile distances.
- 10# and 20 or 25# Medicine Balls
- Dragging sled and 90# of loading
- 2x 45# Kettlebells or dumbbells
- Pull Up Bar
- Bar and plates for deadlifts
After the initial ACFT, Group B will complete the first 3.5 weeks of MTI’s ACFT Limited Equipment Training Plan. In addition to access to all the equipment required for the full ACFT, Group B will need the following equipment:
- Stopwatch with a repeating countdown timer (Timex Ironman or smartphone will work)
- Running area (track or other) with known 800m and 1-mile distances.
- 80 Pound Sandbag (Can be purchased or handmade from a duffle bag)
- 10# Medicine Ball (purchase for $20 HERE, or make your own for $10 HERE)
- 8-Foot piece of Rope
- Pull Up Bar
- 25m of turf or grass
Each group will perform its individual progression for 3 weeks, then on the Monday of week 4, each will re-assess the full ACFT. After a rest on Tuesday, Group B will re-assess the limited equipment plan’s own assessment. Overall, this mini-study will last 3.5 weeks.
Cycle Duration and Schedule: This MTI Mini-Study will take 3.5 weeks. It will begin Monday, October 5, 2020 with the initial ACFT assessments. On the Monday of Week 4, October 26, 2020, lab rats in both groups will re-assess the ACFT. Then on Wednesday, October 28, Group B will re-asses the limited equipment training plan assessment.
What We Hope To Learn
(1) The effectiveness of MTI’s ACFT and Limited Equipment ACFT programming – and ways to improve it
(2) The effectiveness of MTI’s Limited Equipment ACFT programming to improve ACFT scores – and ways to improve it
To Participate
- You’ll need to commit to training 5 days/week, and follow the program as prescribed.
- You’ll need to commit to only do this training for these 3.5 weeks. No additional training will be allowed as it will skew the results.
- You’ll need the required equipment (see above)
- You’ll need to be an experienced, fit athlete.
- If you are a subscriber to MTI’s Athlete’s Subscription
- The cycle will begin Monday, October 5, 2020 and end, Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
This is a focused mini-study which only involves focused training for the ACFT. If chosen to be a lab rat, you won’t be able to complete any other training for the mini-study duration.
You don’t need to be in the military to be a lab rat, but will need the required equipment.
We aim to limit the total number of Lab Rats 16-20 athletes.
Want to be an MTI Lab Rat?
Please email rob@mtntactical.com, and put “ACFT Lab Rat” in the subject line.
Please include:
- Your age, height and weight
- Training experience
- Verify you have access to the required equipment
- Finally, please verify you can commit to the 3.5 week, 5 day/week training cycle.
You’ll be assigned to a Group, and provided with further instructions. Training will start on Monday, October 5, 2020.