Influence of the Type of Physical Training on the Physical Fitness of Army Cadets

INTRODUCTION

Military Physical Training programs represent a constant challenge for the Armed Forces to improve body composition indices and physical fitness levels. This study aimed to verify the influence of the type of training on the physical fitness and body composition of army cadets, using 2 strategies: a sports program (Athletes group) and conventional physical training (Traditional group).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study involved new entrant male cadets who were selected for the Athletes group (n = 243, 19.08 ± 1.23 years) or the Traditional group (n = 356, 18.89 ± 0.97 years), with assessments occurring before and after the period of training (31.4 ± 3.9 weeks). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the bone mineral content (BMC), fat mass (FM), percentage of fat mass (%FM), and lean soft tissue (LST). The physical tests evaluated the 3,000 m run (RUN), 50 m swim (SWIM), pull-ups (PULL) on the horizontal bar, push-ups (PUSH) on the ground, and abdominal flexion (SITUP).

RESULTS

Time × group interaction effects were observed for BMC (P < .001), LST (P < .023), RUN (P < .001), PULL (P = .006), PUSH (P < .001), SITUP (P = .007), and SWIM (P < .001). A significant effect of time was noted for all variables analyzed in both groups, except %FM. The Athletes group achieved better results in body composition and in PULL, PUSH, RUN, and SWIM at baseline and after the training period. The Traditional group demonstrated higher relative changes (%) after the training period in the LST (P = .001), PULL (P < .001), PUSH (P < .001), SITUP (P < .004), and SWIM (P < .001) compared to the Athletes group.

CONCLUSION

Both physical training programs improved body composition and physical performance.

Oxidative Stress in Military Missions-Impact and Management Strategies: A Narrative Analysis

This narrative review comprehensively examines the impact of oxidative stress on military personnel, highlighting the crucial role of physical exercise and tailored diets, particularly the ketogenic diet, in minimizing this stress. Through a meticulous analysis of the recent literature, the study emphasizes how regular physical exercise not only enhances cardiovascular, cognitive, and musculoskeletal health but is also essential in neutralizing the effects of oxidative stress, thereby improving endurance and performance during long-term missions. Furthermore, the implementation of the ketogenic diet provides an efficient and consistent energy source through ketone bodies, tailored to the specific energy requirements of military activities, and significantly contributes to the reduction in reactive oxygen species production, thus protecting against cellular deterioration under extreme stress. The study also underlines the importance of integrating advanced technologies, such as wearable devices and smart sensors that allow for the precise and real-time monitoring of oxidative stress and physiological responses, thus facilitating the customization of training and nutritional regimes. Observations from this review emphasize significant variability among individuals in responses to oxidative stress, highlighting the need for a personalized approach in formulating intervention strategies. It is crucial to develop and implement well-monitored, personalized supplementation protocols to ensure that each member of the military personnel receives a regimen tailored to their specific needs, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of measures to combat oxidative stress. This analysis makes a valuable contribution to the specialized literature, proposing a detailed framework for addressing oxidative stress in the armed forces and opening new directions for future research with the aim of optimizing clinical practices and improving the health and performance of military personnel under stress and specific challenges of the military field.

Effects of 12-Month Training Intervention on Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Health Markers in Finnish Navy Soldiers

BACKGROUND

Most Western adults do not meet the recommendations for sufficient activity, and obesity is a global problem. Similar trends are also seen among Western military personnel. Many successful physical training interventions have been carried out in military environments, but the interventions have been quite short term, and the training has been supervised. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-month voluntary motivational training intervention among the Finnish Defence Forces' (FDF) Navy soldiers.

METHODS

In total, 77 FDF Navy soldiers, serving in missile patrol boats, took part in the study. The intervention group (IG) contained 45 participants and the control group (CG) contained 32 participants. The IG was divided into four teams that carried out the intervention, while the CG took part in only the measurements.

RESULTS

Most of the participants (65%) in the IG reported that they had increased their exercise volume during the intervention, but no major beneficial impacts on the physical fitness, body composition, or health markers were observed. Nevertheless, there was a clear diversity visible between the subgroups in the IG. The team that reported the most exercise had the best motivation and the most motivated team coach and also had the most improved physical fitness and body composition results.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study points out that in military environments, long-term voluntary training interventions may not be as successful as short-term supervised interventions. The results also suggest that in voluntary training interventions among military personnel, the participants' motivation to exercise is a key factor when improving physical fitness.

Changes in physical performance during British Army Junior Entry, British Army Standard Entry and Royal Air Force Basic Training

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.

Do the Lower Body Strength Assessment Tests in the Spanish Navy Really Measure What They Purport to Measure?

The main objective of this research was to analyse the efficacy of lower body strength assessment tests in the Armed Forces Physical Assessment System. Secondly, it was to determine what relationship exists between the physical evaluation system of the Spanish Armed forces and standardized evaluation protocols (Gold standard). A total of 905 students enrolled in the military/civil bachelor’s degree (813 male and 92 female) participated in this study. The influence of the sex of the participants was studied through the student’s t-test for independent data, and the degree of association between variables was defined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The results present moderate correlations (r = 0.67, r = 0.66; p < 0.001) between the vertical jump test used by the Army and the power or elastic force tests commonly used in practice and in research. The results obtained reflect a moderate relationship between the gold standard tests and the tests used by the Army, which suggests that the tests currently used to assess lower body strength should be adapted to more objective measurement tools which would allow a better comparison between samples from different armed forces.

Effect of Exercise Training Programs on Physical Fitness Domains in Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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.

Can Phase Angle Be Associated With Muscle Strength in Healthy Male Army Cadets?

INTRODUCTION

Phase angle (PhA) determined by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) is related to body fluid balance and cell membrane integrity. Handgrip strength (HGS) is used to assess muscle strength and as an indicator of health. We aimed to determine the relationship between PhA and HGS in healthy young males and to verify whether this relationship is dependent on body components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hundred and sixty-three healthy male army cadets (18.8 ± 0.6 years old) participated in the study. PhA was determined by BIA, HGS was assessed by a hydraulic dynamometer, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry determined: fat mass (FM), bone mineral content (BMC), and lean soft tissue (LST). Participants were divided according to the PhA tertile (first tertile: PhA < 7.14°, second tertile: 7.14° ≤ PhA < 7.83°, and third tertile: PhA ≥ 7.83°).

RESULTS

Youth from the first tertile of PhA had lower BMC (2.8 kg vs. 3.0 kg and vs. 3.1 kg) and LST (51.7 vs. 53.8 kg and vs. 57.6 kg) compared to youth from the second and third tertile of PhA (P < .001), respectively. Additionally, lower HGS (83.0 kg vs. 93.1 kg) was found in the first tertile compared to the third tertile of PhA (P < .001). PhA explained 3% of the HGS variation (R2 = 0.029), while LST and BMC explained 39% (R2 = 0.385) and 22% (R2 = 0.221), respectively. Furthermore, the correlation between PhA and HGS was dependent on LST (P = .567) and BMC (P = .182).

CONCLUSION

In this sample, PhA showed a small relationship with HGS, remaining dependent on BMC and LST values. These results reinforce the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle with great lean mass and muscle strength values.

Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations

Force plate assessments, such as countermovement jumps and isometric mid-thigh pulls, examine performances (e.g., jump height, force, power) and movement strategies (e.g., asymmetries, durations), and are best suited to characterize and monitor physical capabilities, not predict injuries. To begin applying force plate technologies, users must first; (1) develop a data management plan to visualize and capture data over time; (2) select appropriate force plates for their scenario; (3) design appropriate testing protocols to ensure valid and reliable data. Force plate assessments may be added to existing testing, serve as separate testing batteries for annual profile testing to compare individuals and understand initial physical capabilities, or for more frequent testing (i.e., monthly or weekly) to monitor training-related adaptations or neuromuscular fatigue. Although these assessments inform evidence-based program designs, human performance practitioners must understand the considerations for conducting appropriate force plate testing, as well as proper visualizations and management of force plate data. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide evidence-based practices for utilizing force plates in tactical populations (e.g., military, firefighters, police). This includes best practices to implement testing for performance profiling, training adaptations, and monitoring neuromuscular fatigue and force asymmetries. Of note, due to the large amount of force-time metrics to choose from, this article provides general examples of important metrics to monitor and training recommendations based on changes to these force-time metrics, followed by specific examples in three case studies.

The Effects of Exercise During a 10-Week Basic Military Training Program on the Physical Fitness and the Body Composition of the Greek Naval Cadets

INTRODUCTION

The period of basic military training (BMT) is a sudden change in the individual habits of the trainees and is characterized by significant improvements in body composition such as the percentage of body fat (%BF) and lean body mass (BM). Research has shown that physical activity during the period of BMT lasting 7-10 weeks has positive effects on the physical condition and BM of cadets. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training combining cardiovascular conditioning, circuit strength training, swimming, team sports, and obstacle course on physical fitness and body composition during a 10-week BMT period over 4 years in the Hellenic Naval Academy (HNA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample consisted of 185 Greek cadets of the HNA (age: 18.4 ± 0.7 years, height: 1.77 ± 6.7 m, BM: 72.6 ± 9.1 kg), of which 153 was male (age: 18.3 ± 0.6 years, height: 1.79 ± 5.8 cm, BM: 75.3 ± 7.6 kg) and 32 was female (age: 18.6 ± 0.9 years, height: 1.68 ± 2.8 cm, BM: 59.9 ± 3.1 kg).The cadets participated each year for 4 years in the BMT, performing 94 training sessions, five times a week. The weekly training program included cardiovascular conditioning, circuit strength training, swimming, team sports, and obstacle course. The measurements of the participants before and after BMT were on BM, %BF, and body mass index (BMI); on the number of sit-ups (SU1), push-ups (PU1), and pull-ups (PullU1) in 1 minute; and on the 12-minute aerobic Cooper test (12-min run).

RESULTS

The results of the study showed that the BM of the cadets decreased significantly by 2.5%, (t184 = 17.591, P < .01), in men by 2.7% (t152 = 16.243, P < .01) and in women by 2.2% (t31 = 9.280, P < .01). Body mass index (BMI) decreased significantly by 2.6% (t184 = 17.681, P < .01), in men by 3.0% (t152 = 16.046, P < .01) and in women by 2.3% (t31 = 9.224, P < 0.01). Reduction in %BF in all cadets reached 11.3% (t184 = 8.134, P < .01), for men -14.8% (t152 = 8.918, P < .01) and women -2.1% (t31 = 0.860, P > .05) without significant differences between the measurements.The number of push-ups in 1 minute (PU1) significantly increased by 27.6% (t184 = -27.813, P < .01), in women by +35.6% (t31 = 13,864, P < .01). The number of sit-ups in 1 minute (SU1) significantly increased by 27.3% (t184 = -30.501, P < .01), for men +28.8% (t152 = -29.862, P < .01). The number of pull-ups in 1 minute (PullU1) reached 20.8% (t184 = -13.426, P < .01) in total, at similar levels in men (t152 = -13.918, p < .01) and women (t31 = -2.820, P < .01).On the 12-min run, the significant improvement exceeded 10.8% (t184 = -45.289, P < .01), in men by 11.1% (t152 = -45.222, P < .01) while in women by 9.0% (t31 = 15.709, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that 10 weeks of BMT, which combined cardiovascular conditioning, circuit strength training, swimming, team sports, and obstacle course improved the body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, and the strength of the Greek HNA cadets.

Effects of Task-Specific and Strength Training on Simulated Military Task Performance in Soldiers

A soldier’s occupational physical task requirements are diverse and varied. However, the type of physical training that most effectively improves soldiers’ occupational task requirements has not been studied previously. The purpose of this study was to determine the important strength characteristics for soldiers during a repeated simulated military task course, and the type of training that may be effective to improve these abilities during a specialized military training period. Forty-two (n = 42) soldiers participated in the study. They were divided into three training groups; a soldier task-specific training group (TSG, n = 17), a strength training group (STG, n = 15), and a control group (CON, n = 10). Participants were measured before (PRE), middle (MID) and after (POST) the 12-week training intervention for strength performance and simulated military task test. Simulated military task performance improved significantly in TSG and STG between the PRE and MID measurements (from 9.4 to 15.7%). TSG and STG improved in various spilt times, especially in strength tasks; casualty drag (from 8.3 to 13.6%) and kettlebell carry (from 13.2 to 22.4%) between the PRE and MID measurements. The present study showed that both the training of TSG and STG were more effective than the training of CON (control group) in terms of improving the performance in the repeated simulated military task course. The present study showed that training of TSG was as effective as STG to improve repeated simulated military task course time. Therefore, an optimal training combination should include high-intensity simulated military task field training and strength training programmed with consideration of the military training phase and environmental possibilities.

Change in Anthropometrics and Physical Fitness in Norwegian Cadets During 3 Years of Military Academy Education

INTRODUCTION

High physical fitness is associated with increased occupational performance, better health, and reduced risk of injuries in military personnel. Thus, the military emphasizes physical training to maintain or develop physical fitness in their soldiers. It is important to monitor the effect of the physical training regime, but such information is lacking for Norwegian military cadets. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to investigate changes in anthropometrics and physical fitness among male and female army, navy and air force cadets during 3 years of military academy education.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

260 male and 29 female Norwegian cadets from the army, navy, and air force academies volunteered to participate. Anthropometrics, muscular power, muscular endurance, and maximal oxygen uptake were measured at entry (T0) and end of each year (T1, T2, and T3). Linear mixed models were used to examine the development in anthropometrics and physical fitness. We applied to the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics to review the study before start-up, but the study was considered exempted from notification. The study was reviewed and approved by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services.

RESULTS

Male and female cadets significantly increased their body weight, fat-free mass, body mass index, and percent body fat by 1 to 5% from T0 to T3. Skeletal muscle mass was unchanged. Muscular power (medicine ball throw and vertical jump) and muscular endurance (pull-ups and push-ups) increased by 3 to 20% in male cadets, while female cadets only increased results significantly for the medicine ball throw (10%). Relative maximal oxygen uptake decreased by 4% in both sexes, while absolute maximal oxygen uptake only decreased significantly (by 2%) in male cadets. Most of the observed changes were classified as trivial or small, according to calculated effect sizes. The observed changes were generally of similar magnitude for male and female cadets, and similar among the three academies.

CONCLUSIONS

Anthropometrics and physical fitness were relatively stable in Norwegian male and female army, navy, and air force cadets during 3 years of military academy education. Observed changes were typically classified as trivial or small. The initial gap in physical fitness between male and female cadets did not narrow during the education years. Norwegian male and female cadets displayed relatively good physical fitness profiles, compared to sex-matched cadets and soldiers from previously studied military populations.

Effects of Linear Periodization Training on Performance Gains and Injury Prevention in a Garrisoned Military Unit

PURPOSE

Performing well in combat requires military service members to be in peak physical shape. Although each branch of the United States military has fitness guidelines and assessments, there are no exact prescriptions for physical training programs. The absence of a standardised approach may lead to suboptimal physical performance and increased risk of musculoskeletal injury. To address this gap, we evaluated the feasibility of a pilot combat conditioning program based on linear periodisation.

METHODS

Twenty-nine garrisoned US Marine Corps service members (25 men, 4 women; 23.5±4.4 years) enrolled in our 11-week conditioning program that was supervised by a strength and conditioning professional. Military-specific (physical/combat fitness tests) and general (treadmill-based maximal exercise test) assessments were performed at baseline and 11 weeks. Training and injury logs were maintained throughout the duration of the program.

RESULTS

Approximately 80% (23/29) of service members completed the entire program. Cardiorespiratory fitness (Peak VO^2; +8.10±10.9%; p=0.011), upper-body strength (pull-ups; +47.0±58.2%; p<0.001) and core strength (abdominal crunches; +9.2±23.3%; p=0.029) significantly increased from pre- to post-training. No statistically significant improvement or worsening was noted in any other performance assessment measure. Eight (28%) participants reported minor musculoskeletal concerns, of which only one required medical attention (injury rate 1.3 injuries/100 person-months).

CONCLUSION

A protocolised linear periodisation training program was feasible and demonstrated improvements in fitness in a group of garrisoned Marines with low injury rates. Other military units may benefit from a similar approach.

Exercise Testing of Muscle Strength in Military

INTRODUCTION

Strength training has been routinely used in exercise programs of military groups; however, no review has been ever conducted to clarify the selection of exercise tests to monitor its effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to critically evaluate the current practices in the choice of assessment methods for muscle strength in military and suggest directions for future research.

METHODS

The Scopus and Pubmed databases were searched in December 2018 using "fitness assessment OR muscle strength AND military OR army" as keywords.

RESULTS

Methodological concerns were highlighted in exercise testing of muscle strength, where the use of appropriate tests were recommended (handgrip, isokinetic or 1RM in bench or leg press) to complement tests that measured muscle endurance rather than muscle strength (e.g., timed push-ups or sit-ups).

CONCLUSIONS

Although strength training has been included in military training, it was concluded that the existed physical fitness test batteries focused mostly on muscle endurance rather than on muscle strength. Therefore, it would be suggested that muscle strength tests be included in future physical fitness test batteries in order to evaluate effectively the content of military training.