Had an affect on cadet training (5)
I believe the answer is:
acted
'had an affect' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to bodily activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'cadet training' is the wordplay.
'training' is an anagram indicator (to train can mean to grow something into a shape).
'cadet' with letters rearranged gives 'ACTED'.
'on' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for acted that I've seen before include "Behaved or performed" , "Appeared in play" , "produced an effect" , "Trod the boards" , "Behaved like thespian" .)