This study determines the difference in Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) scores among smoking and nonsmoking students attending the Command and General Staff Officer's Course (CGSOC) 1990-1991. This study examines APFT scores in three different events as well as total scores. The three events are push-ups, sit-ups and a 2 mile run. Scores of current smokers, those who have recently quit smoking, and non-smokers are evaluated. This study clearly shows a significant difference between APFT scores among smoking and nonsmoking students and implicates smoking as detrimental to physical fitness when using APFT scores as a measure of fitness. This research project contributes to the knowledge of smoking and its link to physical fitness in this limited population using the APFT scores as the unit of measurement. Physical fitness affects overall mental and physical health, and physical readiness. Decreased physical fitness implies decreased endurance on the battlefield and this may impact overall military readiness. This is an important area to evaluate because it may have an overall effect on the future leaders of the military. The results of this study may also help to predict the future health of the current forces and related health care costs.

ADA 240301 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)