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Coge M, Neiva HP, Pereira A, Faíl L, Ribeiro B, Esteves D. Effects of 34 Weeks of Military Service on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Military Cadets of Angola. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2024; 9:111. [PMID: 39051272 PMCID: PMC11270323 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9030111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Military personnel need physical fitness to effectively carry out operational military activities within their specific field of operation. This research investigates the effects of a 34-week training program on Angolan cadets' body composition, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Seventy-four volunteer recruits, aged 18 to 26 years, were monitored during their eight-month military service, following an exercise program protocol comprising 12 weeks of strength training followed by 24 weeks of endurance training. Anthropometric variables, including body mass, body mass index, and fat mass, were assessed, along with cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), sprint performance, countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw, push-ups, and curl-ups. The physical training protocol encompassed running sessions, strength exercises, agility drills, and flexibility exercises. The initial assessment revealed gender differences in various parameters such as body mass, body fat percentage, VO2max, sprinting, countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw, and push-ups. Following the training program, changes were observed in all variables (effect size between 0.48 and 2.33, p < 0.01) for the participants. Significant interactions (sex × time) were found in body mass (F = 5.18, p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.06), body fat percentage (F = 5.31, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.14), and medicine ball throw (F = 10.84, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.13). Specifically, males exhibited a greater reduction in body mass (females: 2.70%, males: 3.47%, p < 0.05) and a substantial improvement in ball throwing performance (females: 7.74%, males: 11.47%, p < 0.01), while females experienced a greater reduction in fat mass (females: 5.34%, males: 3.15%, p < 0.01). The physical training regimen effectively influenced body composition, particularly in enhancing strength performance among males. The integration of exercise programs with military service led to a notable reduction in fat tissue and an increase in lean tissue. Hence, the development of tailored training protocols is imperative to enhance the physical capacity and overall health of military recruits, considering sex-specific characteristics and physical attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Coge
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.C.); (L.F.); (B.R.); (D.E.)
| | - Henrique Pereira Neiva
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.C.); (L.F.); (B.R.); (D.E.)
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Pereira
- Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Escola Superior de Educação, Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologias, Campus do IPS, Estefanilha, 2914-504 Setúbal, Portugal;
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Centro de Investigação e Inovação em Desporto Atividade Física e Saúde, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal
| | - Luís Faíl
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.C.); (L.F.); (B.R.); (D.E.)
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Bruno Ribeiro
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.C.); (L.F.); (B.R.); (D.E.)
| | - Dulce Esteves
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.C.); (L.F.); (B.R.); (D.E.)
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Convento de Santo António, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
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Vaara JP, Pihlainen K, Rusila J, Ojanen T, Kyröläinen H. Physical fitness and anthropometrics in Finnish soldiers during their early career: prospective changes during a 3-year follow-up. BMJ Mil Health 2023; 169:116-121. [PMID: 32999087 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Physical fitness is a fundamental capability required of military personnel, but studies focusing on longitudinal changes in physical fitness and anthropometrics in soldiers are lacking. The aim was to evaluate physical fitness and anthropometrics in soldiers during their early career. METHODS A 3-year prospective study included 180 male soldiers (baseline age 26±2 years) with measures of a 12 min running test, standing long jump, sit-up and push-up tests, and body mass, height and waist circumference (WC). Baseline data were stratified into tertiles, and the changes within each tertile were analysed using dependent t-tests and analysis of variance. RESULTS 12 min running test distance decreased on average by 2% (-54 m), sit-up performance 3% (-1.5 repetitions (reps)/min), push-up performance 4% (-1.9 reps/min) and standing long jump performance 1% (-2.1 cm) over the 3-year period (p<0.05). Both aerobic and muscular fitness decreased consistently among the highest baseline tertile (12 min running test: -70 m, sit-ups: -3.2 reps/min, push-ups: -7.5 reps/min, standing long jump: -5.5 cm; p<0.001), whereas both aerobic and muscular fitness levels were maintained and push-up performance was improved (p<0.05) in the lowest baseline tertiles. Body mass increased on average by 4% (+3.4 kg) and WC by 4% (+3.9 cm) (p<0.001), and these increases were observed for all baseline tertiles (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Small decrements in physical fitness and anthropometrics exist during the early career of soldiers. The changes in physical fitness differed according to baseline fitness levels. The results indicate that support for exercise training may be needed even in a soldier's early career.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jani P Vaara
- Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K Pihlainen
- Training Division, Defence Command, Finland, Defence Forces Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - J Rusila
- Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Ojanen
- Finnish Defence Research Agency, Finnish Defence Forces, Järvenpää, Finland
| | - H Kyröläinen
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Zurek G, Lenart D, Lachowicz M, Zebrowski K, Jamro D. Factors Influencing the Executive Functions of Male and Female Cadets. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:17043. [PMID: 36554935 PMCID: PMC9779467 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192417043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) are related to human abilities that allow individuals to achieve planned goals, contribute to creativity and the analysis of new ideas, and allow for adaptation to new situations in daily life. Thorough analyses of the factors affecting EFs can aid in the development of appropriate training programs for various social and professional groups, including the military. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the EFs of cadets (18 women and 108 men) studying at a military academy in Poland after the first and second terms of military training, and to investigate gender differences in the level of EFs, shooting performance (SP), and components of physical fitness (PF). The Neuropsychological Color Trails Test (CTT-2) was used to determine some of the EFs of the test subjects. Meanwhile, the level of SP was represented by the score achieved during marksmanship training implemented during military training. Assessment of the subjects' PF was guided by the principles of the Health-Related Fitness assessment concept, i.e., health-related fitness. Differences between men and women in specific variables were calculated using the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples, whilst the relationship between variables was analyzed using the best subset regression method. The results revealed that cadets' EFs were influenced by their SP and their level of strength. However, there were no significant differences between male and female cadets in the levels of EFs or SP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Zurek
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Lenart
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Lachowicz
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zebrowski
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Jamro
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland
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Bustamante-Sánchez Á, Nikolaidis PT, Clemente-Suárez VJ. Body Composition of Female Air Force Personnel: A Comparative Study of Aircrew, Airplane, and Helicopter Pilots. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148640. [PMID: 35886498 PMCID: PMC9320040 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This research aimed to analyze the body composition (BC) of different groups of women aircrew units in the Spanish Air Forces for a better understanding and improvement of their operability. Specifically, 184 female aircrew members were analyzed and classified into specialties (38 airplane pilots, age: 32.8 ± 10.8; 26 helicopter pilots, age: 32.0 ± 9.18; and 120 transport aircrew, age: 36.9 ± 8.18). The women’s BC was analyzed with an InBody720 bioimpedance device previously used in the military population. There were differences in the BC among specialties, although there were similarities between airplane and helicopter pilots. Airplane (24.0% ± 10.4%) and helicopter pilots (22.6 ± 6.32%) had a smaller percentage of body fat mass than transport aircrew (26.3 ± 7.51%), but there was uniformity among groups in skeletal muscle mass and soft lean mass. We found no differences in body water among specialties. Differences in BCs were previously reported for men in the air force, and these results in women showed similarities for different job entry requirements, different training needs, and different occupational behaviors among units in the Air Force. These results help to deepen the previous knowledge of women’s BC standards in military units. Although pilots are primarily responsible for the aircraft, healthy habits should be encouraged to keep fit and improve the performance of all aircrew members both in flight and when they are deployed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Bustamante-Sánchez
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (Á.B.-S.); (P.T.N.)
| | - Pantelis T. Nikolaidis
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (Á.B.-S.); (P.T.N.)
- School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (Á.B.-S.); (P.T.N.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Cultura, Educación y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Correspondence:
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Jamro D, Zurek G, Lachowicz M, Lenart D. Influence of Physical Fitness and Attention Level on Academic Achievements of Female and Male Military Academy Cadets in Poland. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9101261. [PMID: 34682941 PMCID: PMC8535669 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9101261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A professional soldier should be characterized not only by high physical fitness but also by high intellectual and cognitive skills. Therefore, it is important to focus on the future commanding cadre-cadets that are educated in military academies. The aim of the study was to look for correlations between the level of physical fitness and attention and academic achievements (AA) in different subjects among cadets studying at military academies. The research group consisted of students of a military academy in Poland, i.e., 228 cadets, including 31 women and 197 men. Correlations between explained and explanatory variables were assessed using Pearson’s correlation. Correlations between AA and somatic parameters and motor components were analysed using optimal regression, using the best subset method. A statistical difference was found between men and women in terms of the level of somatic and motor development; men also performed significantly better in practical military subjects. In the female group, dominant hand strength is a significant determinant of AA in civilian and theoretical military subjects. The findings suggest the need for specialized training aimed at bridging the major differences in physical fitness between men and women by placing greater emphasis on muscle strength development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Jamro
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland; (D.J.); (D.L.)
| | - Grzegorz Zurek
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Maciej Lachowicz
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Dariusz Lenart
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland; (D.J.); (D.L.)
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