Empirical testing of the effectiveness and validity of the author’s exercise complexes for military personnel with lower extremity amputations

Abstract

Importance. The relevance of the study is determined by the need for standardized methods to assess physical readiness in service members with combat-related injuries, taking into account the specific features of the cardiorespiratory system and vestibular stability. The aim of the work was to evaluate the reliability, construct validity, and practical effectiveness of the author-developed exercise complexes (standard: 1, 10; adapted: 2–9) for monitoring physical fitness in this population.

Materials and Methods. The study involved service members with lower limb amputations (n = 15). The methods included performing exercises with recording of performance indicators (time, number of repetitions), functional tests (cardiorespiratory reserve 65–70 %, vestibular stability 10–15 points), as well as correlation and consistency analyses (ICC, Spearman’s correlation coefficient) using Statistica 27.0 software at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results and Discussion. The results demonstrate high within-class reliability of the complexes (ICC = 0.58–0.93 for subgroups 4–6, 8–9, 2–5, 1–10) and strong correlations between exercise indicators (4–6 with 8: r = 0.83; 4–9: r = −0.71; 6–9: r = −0.76) and functional tests (4, 6, 8, 9 with vestibular stability: r = 0.64; 3, 7 – weak: r = 0.16–0.37). The standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 0.16 to 0.70.

Conclusion. The complexes are recognized as a reliable and valid tool for assessing physical readiness. Their implementation into the Physical Training Manual of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is recommended to optimize rehabilitation and restore professional fitness.