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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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Maroni TD, Siddall AG, Rue CA, Needham-Beck SC, Walker FS, Greeves JP, Wardle SL, Fieldhouse A, Myers SD, Blacker SD. Beyond change scores: Employing an improved statistical approach to analyze the impact of entry fitness on physical performance during British Army basic training in men and women. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14610. [PMID: 38534053 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The aim was to use a robust statistical approach to examine whether physical fitness at entry influences performance changes between men and women undertaking British Army basic training (BT). Performance of 2 km run, seated medicine ball throw (MBT) and isometric mid-thigh pull (MTP) were assessed at entry and completion of Standard Entry (SE), Junior Entry-Short (JE-Short), and Junior Entry-Long (JE-Long) training for 2350 (272 women) recruits. Performance change was analyzed with entry performance as a covariate (ANCOVA), with an additional interaction term allowing different slopes for courses and genders (p < 0.05). Overall, BT courses saw average improvements in 2 km run performance (SE: -6.8% [-0.62 min], JE-Short: -4.6% [-0.43 min], JE-Long: -7.7% [-0.70 min]; all p < 0.001) and MBT (1.0-8.8% [0.04-0.34 m]; all p < 0.05) and MTP (4.5-26.9% [6.5-28.8 kg]; all p < 0.001). Regression models indicate an expected form of "regression to the mean" whereby test performance change was negatively associated with entry fitness in each course (those with low baseline fitness exhibit larger training improvements; all interaction effects: p < 0.001,η p 2 $$ {\eta}_{\mathrm{p}}^2 $$ > 0.006), particularly for women. However, when matched for entry fitness, men displayed considerable improvements in all tests, relative to women. Training courses were effective in developing recruit physical fitness, whereby the level of improvement is, in large part, dependent on entry fitness. Factors including age, physical maturity, course length, and physical training, could also contribute to the variability in training response between genders and should be considered when analyzing and/or developing physical fitness in these cohorts for future success of military job-task performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa D Maroni
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Andrew G Siddall
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Carla A Rue
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Sarah C Needham-Beck
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Faye S Walker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Julie P Greeves
- Army Health and Performance Research, Army Headquarters, Andover, Hampshire, UK
| | - Sophie L Wardle
- Army Health and Performance Research, Army Headquarters, Andover, Hampshire, UK
| | - Anne Fieldhouse
- Army Health and Performance Research, Army Headquarters, Andover, Hampshire, UK
| | - Stephen D Myers
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
| | - Sam D Blacker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK
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Néma J, Zdara J, Lašák P, Bavlovič J, Bureš M, Pejchal J, Schvach H. Impact of cold exposure on life satisfaction and physical composition of soldiers. BMJ Mil Health 2024:e002237. [PMID: 36599485 DOI: 10.1136/military-2022-002237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
This article has been retracted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Néma
- Department of Military Medical Services Organisation and Management, University of Defence in Brno Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - J Zdara
- Department of Military Medical Services Organisation and Management, University of Defence in Brno Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - P Lašák
- Department of Military Internal Medicine and Military Hygiene, University of Defence in Brno Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - J Bavlovič
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Biology, University of Defence in Brno Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - M Bureš
- Department of Computer Science, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Pejchal
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, University of Defence in Brno Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - H Schvach
- Department of Military Medical Services Organisation and Management, University of Defence in Brno Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Conkright WR, O'Leary TJ, Wardle SL, Greeves JP, Beckner ME, Nindl BC. SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND PSYCHO-COGNITIVE RESPONSES TO MILITARY OPERATIONAL STRESS. Eur J Sport Sci 2021; 22:99-111. [PMID: 33840352 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1916082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Combat roles are physically demanding and expose service personnel to operational stressors such as high levels of physical activity, restricted nutrient intake, sleep loss, psychological stress, and environmental extremes. Women have recently integrated into combat roles, but our knowledge of the physical, physiological, and psycho-cognitive responses to these operational stressors in women is limited. The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the evidence for sex-specific physical, physiological, and psycho-cognitive responses to real, and simulated, military operational stress. Studies examining physical and cognitive performance, body composition, metabolism, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and psychological health outcomes were evaluated. These studies report that women expend less energy and lose less body mass and fat-free mass, but not fat mass, than men. Despite having similar physical performance decrements as men during operational stress, women experience greater physiological strain than men completing the same physical tasks, but this may be attributed to differences in fitness. From limited data, military operational stress suppresses hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal, but not hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, axis function in both sexes. Men and women demonstrate different psychological and cognitive responses to operational stress, including disturbances in mood, with women having a higher risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms compared with men. Based on current evidence, separate strategies to maximize selection and combat training are not warranted until further data directly comparing men and women are available. However, targeted exercise training programs may be advisable to offset the physical performance gap between sexes and optimize performance prior to inevitable declines caused by intense military operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Conkright
- Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory & Warrior Human Performance Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Thomas J O'Leary
- Army Health and Performance Research, Army Headquarters, Andover, United Kingdom.,Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie L Wardle
- Army Health and Performance Research, Army Headquarters, Andover, United Kingdom.,Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julie P Greeves
- Army Health and Performance Research, Army Headquarters, Andover, United Kingdom.,Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Meaghan E Beckner
- Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory & Warrior Human Performance Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Bradley C Nindl
- Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory & Warrior Human Performance Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, United States
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