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Pihlainen K, Santtila M, Nindl BC, Raitanen J, Ojanen T, Vaara JP, Helén J, Nykänen T, Kyröläinen H. Changes in physical performance, body composition and physical training during military operations: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21455. [PMID: 38052976 PMCID: PMC10698179 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48712-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Systematic review and meta-analysis applying PRISMA guidelines with a PICOS format was constructed to provide an overview of changes in physical performance, body composition and physical training in soldiers during prolonged (≥ 3 months) military operations. Twenty-four studies out of the screened 4431 records filled the inclusion criteria. A small decrease in endurance performance was the most consistent finding (Hedge's g [g] - 0.21, 95% CI - 0.01 to - 0.41) while small overall increases in maximal strength of the lower (g 0.33, 95% CI 0.16-0.50) and upper body (g 0.33, 95% CI 0.19-0.46) were observed. In addition, small increases in strength endurance (push-up, g 0.34, 95% CI 0.15-0.52; sit-up g 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.44) were observed. The overall changes in body composition were trivial. Heterogeneity in the outcome variables varied mainly between low to moderate. Large inter-individual variations were observed in physical training volume, including decrements especially in endurance training frequency and volume. A reduction in total training load was often associated with negative changes in body composition and physical performance according to the principle of training specificity. Individuals with higher initial fitness level were more susceptible to decrements in their physical performance during operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Pihlainen
- Human Performance Sector, Training Division, Defence Command, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - M Santtila
- Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - B C Nindl
- Neuromuscular Research Laboratory/Warrior Human Performance Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J Raitanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences (Health Sciences), Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland
| | - T Ojanen
- Human Performance Division, Finnish Defence Research Agency, Tuusula, Finland
| | - J P Vaara
- Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - J Helén
- Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Nykänen
- Army Academy, Finnish Defence Forces, Lappeenranta, Finland
| | - H Kyröläinen
- Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki, Finland
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyvaskyla, Finland
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Rasteiro A, Santos V, Massuça LM. Physical Training Programs for Tactical Populations: Brief Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:967. [PMID: 37046894 PMCID: PMC10094380 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11070967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This review aims (i) to identify and analyze the physical training programs used for tactical personnel (TP) and (ii) to understand the effects of physical training programs on the health and fitness, and occupational performance of tactical personnel. A literature search used the keywords 'Physical Training Program', 'Police', 'Law Enforcement', and 'Firefighter'. A total of 23 studies out of 11.508 analyzed were included. All studies showed acceptable methodological quality in assessing physical fitness (PF), and training programs' effect sizes (Cohen's d) on PF attributes were calculated. The results showed that physical training programs (duration > four weeks) can improve (medium-to-large effects) (i) measures of physical fitness and (ii) performance in simulations of occupationally specific tasks. This review provides summary information (i) to help select (or adjust) physical training programs for TP and (ii) to clarify the effect of different occupational-specific training interventions on fitness measures and health-related parameters for TP.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Rasteiro
- Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security, 1300-663 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Vanessa Santos
- Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1495-751 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal;
- KinesioLab, Research Unit in Human Movement Analysis, Instituto Piaget, 2805-059 Almada, Portugal
| | - Luís Miguel Massuça
- ICPOL Research Center, Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security, 1300-663 Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Center for Sport, Physical Education, Exercise and Health, CIDEFES, Universidade Lusófona, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, Universidade do Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Rue CA, D Myers S, L Coakley S, M Ashdown K, J Lee B, J Hale B, G Siddall A, C Needham-Beck S, L Hinde K, I Osofa J, S Walker F, Fieldhouse A, A J Vine C, Doherty J, R Flood T, F Walker E, Wardle S, P Greeves J, D Blacker S. Changes in physical performance during British Army Junior Entry, British Army Standard Entry and Royal Air Force Basic Training. BMJ Mil Health 2023:e002285. [PMID: 36725103 DOI: 10.1136/military-2022-002285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose was to quantify physical performance in men and women during British Army Junior Entry (Army-JE), British Army Standard Entry (Army-SE) and Royal Air Force (RAF) basic training (BT). DESIGN Prospective longitudinal study. METHODS 381 participants ((339 men and 42 women) n=141 Army-JE, n=132 Army-SE, n=108 RAF) completed a 2 km run, medicine ball throw (MBT) and isometric mid-thigh pull (MTP), pre-BT and post-BT. To examine changes in pre-BT to post-BT physical test performance, for each course, paired Student t-test and Wilcoxon test were applied to normally and non-normally distributed data, respectively, with effect sizes reported as Cohen's D and with rank biserial correlations, respectively. A one-way between-subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) (or Welch ANOVA for non-normally distributed data) compared performance between quartiles based on test performance pre-BT. Where the main tests statistic, p value and effect sizes identified likely effect of quartile, post hoc comparisons were made using Games-Howell tests with Tukey's p value. Data are presented as mean±SD, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS During BT, 2 km run time improved by 13±46 s (-2.1%±8.1%), 30±64 s (-4.8%±12.3%) and 24±27 s (-4.5%±5.1%) for Army-JE, Army-SE and RAF, respectively (all p<0.005). MBT distance increased by 0.27±0.28 m (6.8%±7.0%) for Army-JE (p<0.001) and 0.07±0.46 m (2.3%±10.9%) for Army-SE (p=0.040), but decreased by 0.08±0.27 m (-1.4%±6.0%) for RAF (p=0.002). MTP force increased by 80±281 n (10.8%±27.6%) for Army-JE (p<0.001) and did not change for Army-SE (-36±295 n, -0.7%±20.6%, p=0.144) or RAF (-9±208 n, 1.0±17.0, p=0.603). For all tests and cohorts, participants in the lowest quartile of pre-BT performance scores demonstrated greater improvements, compared with participants in the highest quartile (except Army-JE MBT, ∆% change similar between all quartiles). CONCLUSIONS Changes in physical performance were observed for the three fitness tests following the different BT courses, and recruits with the lowest strength and aerobic fitness experienced greatest improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Rue
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - S D Myers
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - S L Coakley
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Sciences, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
| | - K M Ashdown
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - B J Lee
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - B J Hale
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - A G Siddall
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - S C Needham-Beck
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - K L Hinde
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - J I Osofa
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
- School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - F S Walker
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - A Fieldhouse
- Defence Public Health Unit | HQ Defence Medical Services, Ministry of Defence, London, UK
| | - C A J Vine
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - J Doherty
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - T R Flood
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - E F Walker
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - S Wardle
- Army Personnel Research Capability, British Army Land Forces Headquarters, Andover, UK
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, London, UK
| | - J P Greeves
- Department of Army Health and Physical Performance Research, UK Ministry of Defence, Andover, UK
- Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, London, UK
| | - S D Blacker
- Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
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Kang J, Ye Z, Yin X, Zhou C, Gong B. Effects of Concurrent Strength and HIIT-Based Endurance Training on Physical Fitness in Trained Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14800. [PMID: 36429528 PMCID: PMC9690105 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concurrent strength and HIIT-based endurance training (CT) has merit in time-saving in team sports. However, the effect of CT on physical fitness remained equivocal. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether CT would produce an interference effect on the development of physical fitness when compared to strength training (ST) or HIIT-based endurance training (HET) alone in trained team sports players. METHODS A total of 2478 studies from three databases were screened. 52 full texts were reviewed. Seven studies were finally included and then subgroups were used for quantitative analysis. RESULTS Compared to ST alone, CT had a significant effect on the development of maximal lower-body strength in trained team sports players (MD 4.20 kg, 95% CI 0.71-7.68, p = 0.02, I2 = 20%), but there was no significant difference between the groups on training adaptation in lower-body power (SMD 0.08, 95% CI -0.23-0.39, p = 0.62, I2 = 26%). Furthermore, a sub-group analysis based on the internal organization order of CT revealed that there was no statistically significant subgroup effect between CT and ST alone in all parameters. CONCLUSIONS Well-designed CT regimens did not interfere with the development of physical fitness of trained team sports players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Kang
- School of Elite Sport, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhijing Ye
- School of Elite Sport, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
- Shanghai Shenhua FC, No. 2600 Hu Nan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 201315, China
| | - Xinxing Yin
- School of Marxism Studies, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Changjing Zhou
- School of Elite Sport, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Bo Gong
- School of Elite Sport, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
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Microdosing: Old Wine in a New Bottle? Current State of Affairs and Future Avenues. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2022; 17:1649-1652. [DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Microdosing of exercise aims to deliver smaller daily training doses but at a higher weekly frequency, adding up to a similar weekly volume as in nonmicrodosed training. This commentary critically discusses this concept, which appears to be a rebranding of the “old” distributed practice of motor learning. Development: We propose that microdosing should relate to the minimal dose that develops or at least maintains the selected capacities or skills as this training dose matters to practitioners, especially during the in-season period. Moreover, microdosing has been applied mainly to develop strength and endurance, but abilities such as sprinting and changing direction could also be microdosed, as well as technical–tactical skills. Conclusions: The concept of microdosing should be reframed to avoid redundancy with the concept of distributed practice while providing valuable information concerning the minimum doses that still generate the intended effects and the thresholds that determine whether a dose is “micro” or not.
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Smith C, Doma K, Heilbronn B, Leicht A. Effect of Exercise Training Programs on Physical Fitness Domains in Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mil Med 2022; 187:1065-1073. [PMID: 35247052 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Physical training is important to prepare soldiers for the intense occupational demands in the military. However, current physical training may not address all fitness domains crucial for optimizing physical readiness and reducing musculoskeletal injury. The effects of nontraditional military physical training on fitness domains have been inconsistently reported, which limits the design of the ideal training program for performance optimization and injury prevention in the military. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the effects of exercise training on various fitness domains (i.e., aerobic fitness, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular power, muscular strength, and occupationally specific physical performance) that contribute to occupational performance and musculoskeletal injury risk in military personnel. METHODS An extensive literature search was conducted in January 2021 and was subsequently updated in July 2021 and December 2021. Included studies consisted of comparative groups of healthy military personnel performing traditional and nontraditional military physical training with at least one assessment representative of a fitness domain. Study appraisal was conducted using the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was conducted via forest plots, standard mean difference (SMD, effect size), and intertrial heterogeneity (I2). RESULTS From a total of 7,350 records, 15 studies were identified as eligible for inclusion in this review, with a total of 1,613 participants. The average study quality via the PEDro score was good (5.3/10; range 4/10 to 6/10). Nontraditional military physical training resulted in greater posttraining values for muscular endurance (SMD = 0.46; P = .004; I2 = 68%), power (SMD = 1.57; P < .0001; I2 = 90%), strength via repetition maximum testing (SMD = 1.95; P < .00001; I2 = 91%), and occupationally specific physical performance (SMD = 0.54; P = .007; I2 = 66%) compared to the traditional group. There was no significant difference for aerobic fitness (SMD = -0.31; P = .23; I2 = 86%), flexibility (SMD = 0.58; P = .16; I2 = 76%), and muscular strength via maximal voluntary contraction (SMD = 0.18; P = .28; I2 = 66%) between training groups. CONCLUSIONS The current systematic review identified that nontraditional military physical training had a greater posttraining effect on muscular endurance, power, strength measured via repetition maximum, and occupationally specific physical performance compared to traditional military physical training. Overall, these findings suggest that nontraditional military physical training may be beneficial in optimizing occupational performance while potentially reducing musculoskeletal injury risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Smith
- Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Army, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Kenji Doma
- Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Brian Heilbronn
- Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Army, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Anthony Leicht
- Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
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