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

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonios Vantarakis ◽  
Nikolaos Vezos ◽  
Konstantinos Karakatsanis ◽  
Gerasimos Grivas ◽  
Theodosia Oikonomou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT 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.

Author(s):  
Stevo POPOVIC ◽  
Boris BANJEVIC ◽  
Bojan MASANOVIC ◽  
Dusko BJELICA

Background: The body composition and physical fitness of members of the army is always a relevant topic for research, since the level of defense and security of people and material goods in a specific territory in many ways depends on the level of ability of the army. However, members of the armed forces are a heterogeneous group, typified by different abilities, characteristics, but also everyday needs, and the trend of changing body composition and reducing physical fitness is a current issue that has not bypassed this population either. Therefore, this study aimed to determine possible differences in body composition indicators that could appear between members of the Army of Montenegro of different military specialties. Methods: The sample of respondents included 240 Montenegrin male soldiers (32.5yr±9.5), who were measured at the sports dispensaries within the barracks of Montenegrin Army around the country in the spring of 2020, was classified into eight numerically equal subsamples according to their military specialty. The sample of variables included five anthropometric measures, which were necessary to calculate two derived body composition indicators: Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (FAT %). Using the one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc test with Taki’s model, the variables were analyzed. Results: It was determined that the body composition of Montenegrin soldiers shows a certain peculiarity compared to other national military corps, while there are differences in body composition indicators between members of the Montenegrin Army of different military specialties. Conclusion: This fact dramatically strengthens the issues of Montenegrin distinctive regarding body composition, both in general terms and in terms of distinctive within specific professional vocations.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Liana Pļaviņa ◽  
Silvija Umbraško

The Body composition is related to higher physical performance and a lower risk of health problems, it connects to external and internal factors. Military activitiesf are characterized with a high physical load and a psychological load, physical fitness and the body composition have an adverse effect on military performance. The primary purpose of the body composition and physical fitness is related to the selection of individuals the best suited to the demands of military service [2,10]. The proper body mass supports good health capacity [11,13]. The maintenance of body composition and appropriate physical fitness standards by the military personnel is affected by the intrinsic factors such as the individual’s genetic factors, development history, social background, and extrinsic factors, environmental changes and institutional, systemic changes. The effects of the excess body mass are widespread, raise the variety of concerns relevant to the health and performance of the military personnel [1,3,4,5]. The diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and heart disease increased with the obesity [6,7,9,12]. The individuals with overweight have more medical complication than the individuals with the standard body mass. The higher body mass index was associated with higher morbidity and mortality [8]. We have classified individuals according to the age into subgroups and provided the evaluation of the body composition on the basis of the main anthropometric characteristics as well the analysis of the standard physical fitness tests results. The analysis of the average value of the body mass and the Body Mass Index have shown large individual changes inside the subgroups and between the subgroups. The assessment of the results of physical fitness tests is provided differentially according to the individual corresponding age subgroup. The analysis of the respondent data reveals the overweight and obesity problem that became actual with the increasing the age of individuals. Physical fitness tests results have shown that the excellent physical fitness evaluation is received by about 33–44% of the military personnel that reflects a high unit of operational readiness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Adelia Handoko ◽  
Aris Prasetyo ◽  
Pipiet Wulandari ◽  
Kristianingrum Dian Sofiana ◽  
Jauhar Firdaus ◽  
...  

Technological advances in recent years have had an impact on people's lifestyles. Almost all activities in various sectors can be carried out and accessed via smartphones. This causes a decrease in physical activity which can lead to obesity. Obesity is an imbalance of energy entering the energy used in the body resulting in the accumulation of excess lipids which can interfere with the health condition of the body. Body composition is an important part of determining one's physical fitness. Body composition can be seen from a person's Body Mass Index (BMI). This type of research is analytic observational with cross sectional research design. The data used by researchers is secondary data in 2018. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The sample used in this study was 127 people, consisting of 47 men and 84 women. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 through the Spearman Analysis Test with the results of p = 0.000 (p-value <0.05) for the relationship between BMI and IKB in the slow way and p = 0.002 (p-value <0.05) for the relationship between BMI with IKB the fast way. The conclusion that can be drawn from the results of the analysis is that there is a weak correlation between body mass index and body fitness index on the Havard Step Test fitness test for students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jember. Keywords: body mass index, harvard step test , physical fitness


2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 1200-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Cadenas-Sanchez ◽  
P Henriksson ◽  
H Henriksson ◽  
C Delisle Nyström ◽  
J Pomeroy ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Danielle Smith ◽  
Larissa Adams ◽  
Rosa Du Randt ◽  
Jan Degen ◽  
Stefanie Gall ◽  
...  

Background: Information about the relationships between physical fitness, body composition and nutrition has increased in recent years; however, little is known about physical fitness and the coexistence of under-/overnutrition among children living in disadvantaged areas. Objectives: To determine the physical fitness status and its association with body composition, growth and selected socio- demographics in primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Methods: Nine hundred and sixty-five children (49% girls, M=9.5 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight were measured to establish body mass index, and height-for-age z-scores. Physical fitness was assessed using tests from the Eurofit Physical Fitness test battery (flexibility, upper/lower body muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness). Between- group differences and cross-sectional associations were examined with univariate (Chi2-tests, analyses of variance) and multivariate methods (mixed linear/logistic regression). Results: Most children had normal weight (76.7%), while 4.5% were underweight and 18.7% were overweight/obese. Underweight children and children with stunted growth (11.5%) had lower average upper body strength (p<0.001). Overweight/obese children had lower scores in weight-bearing activities (p<0.001). Children with higher socio-economic status were more likely to be overweight and obese (p<0.001). In the multivariate analyses, sex, age, body mass index, and stunting were associated with children’s physical fitness. Conclusion: Fitness assessments seem to be a relevant measure of the current health status of children in disadvantaged settings. Compared to international norms, the children in this study had relatively low scores for both upper- and lower body muscular strength. Therefore, effective school-based intervention programmes should be developed to improve children’s physical fitness in disadvantaged schools.


1996 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita I. Wellens ◽  
Alex F. Roche ◽  
Harry J. Khamis ◽  
Andrew S. Jackson ◽  
Michael L. Pollock ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Martin Zvonar ◽  
Mario Kasović ◽  
Lovro Štefan

Background. The main purpose of this study was to explore the body-mass index and waist circumference associated with physical fitness by gender. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we included 1036 adolescents (55.4% girls) from eight randomly selected secondary schools within the city of Zagreb (Croatia). Body-mass index and waist circumference were objectively measured. Physical fitness included three tests: (1) 1 min sit-ups, (2) standing long jump and (3) a sit-and-reach test. Associations were calculated using linear regression models. Results. Boys had higher body-mass index and waist circumference values, compared to girls (p < 0.001). They also performed better in 1 min sit-ups and the standing long jump tests (p < 0.001), while girls obtained higher values in the sit-and-reach test (p < 0.001). In boys, body-mass index and waist circumference were associated with 1 min sit-ups and the standing long jump. In girls, waist circumference was also associated with 1 min sit-ups and the standing long jump, while body-mass index was only associated with this standing long jump. Conclusions. Our study shows that anthropometric indices have non-linear associations with physical fitness tests in a large sample of Croatian adolescents. Screening for thinness and obesity to predict the level of physical fitness should be of a great interest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Farina ◽  
Lauren Thompson ◽  
Joseph Knapik ◽  
Stefan Pasiakos ◽  
James McClung ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To determine whether usual energy intake and body composition are associated with attrition from an arduous military selection course characterized by energy deficit and strenuous physical events, including fitness tests, loaded road marches, runs, land navigation, and an obstacle course. Methods Energy intake and body composition were assessed in U.S. Army Soldiers (n = 776) at the start of a military assessment and selection course. Usual energy intake (kcal) over the previous year was estimated from a 127-item Block food frequency questionnaire. Body composition measures, including body mass (kg), body mass index (BMI, body mass in kg/height in m2), fat free mass index (FFMI, fat free mass in kg/height in m2), and fat mass index (FMI, fat mass in kg/height in m2) were assessed by calibrated scale and 3-site skinfold caliper measures. Associations between energy intake, body composition, and demographics were determined with analysis of variance. Logistic regression was used to determine likelihood of attrition [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI)] based on quartiles of energy intake and body composition. Models were adjusted for age, education, duration of aerobic exercise, duration of strength training, smoking status, and smokeless tobacco use. Results Soldiers that were younger (18–24 y), engaged in longer duration of aerobic exercise (≥200 min/wk) and strength training (≥400 min/wk), had more education (≥some college), and were smokeless tobacco users had higher energy intakes (P < 0.05). Higher energy intake was associated with higher body mass and FFMI (P < 0.05). After adjustment, Soldiers with higher energy intake, body mass, BMI, and FFMI were less likely to fail the strenuous course (Q1 vs. Q2, Q3, and Q4: OR range = 0.25–0.54; 95% CI lower bound range = 0.15–0.33; 95% CI upper bound range = 0.46–0.87). FMI was not associated with attrition. Conclusions Optimization of body composition by adequate consumption of calories prior to a physically demanding military selection course may be associated with reduced attrition. Funding Sources Supported by U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Army or the Department of Defense. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 539-546
Author(s):  
Luis Hebert Palma Pulido ◽  
Carlos Hernán Méndez Díaz ◽  
Alfonso Cespedes Manrrique ◽  
Jorge Andrés Castro Mejía ◽  
Alejandro Viveros Restrepo ◽  
...  

 El siguiente estudio, tuvo como finalidad, determinar la correlación entre la composición corporal y la condición física en niños de sexto grado de la Institución Educativa de Tuluá, Colombia. El estudio fue no experimental, descriptivo y de alcance correlacional. La valoración de la composición corporal, se realizó mediante el índice de masa corporal y el porcentaje de grasa (fórmula de Slaughter y Lohmann). La condición física, se determinó por medio de la batería Fitnessgram. La muestra fue de 193 niños y niñas, entre ocho y 12 años. Los resultados se determinaron, por medio de estadísticos descriptivos y correlación de Pearson. Estos resultados, evidenciaron una r=-0,52 y -0,72 para niño y niña respectivamente, entre el porcentaje de grasa y la capacidad cardiovascular. Las correlaciones entre el índice de masa corporal y peso corporal, con el porcentaje de grasa fueron, r=0,59 niña 0,76 y niño y r=0,46 niña y 0,67 niño respectivamente, indicando que, a mayor masa corporal mayor grasa. La correlación entre masa grasa y el test de barra fija fue inversa, pero no alta, r=-0,23 y -0,24, sin embaro, cuando este test se correlacionó con el índice de masa corporal, dicha correlación fue mayor, r=-0,57 y -0,78, reflejando que, la masa corporal, afectó la resistencia en la barra. La flexibilidad y agilidad, no se alteraron por la masa grasa, r < 0,20. Como conclusión, se evidencia que, la masa grasa puede disminuir la capacidad cardiovascular y resistencia a la fuerza, sin embargo, la flexibilidad y la velocidad-agilidad pueden no alterarse.  Abstract. The following study aimed at determining the correlation between body composition and physical condition in sixth grade students from the high school Institución Educativa Moderna in Tuluá, Colombia. It was carried as a non-experimental, descriptive, and correlational study. The assessment of body composition was carried out using the body mass index and the fat percentage based on Slaughter and Lohmann formula. Physical condition was determined by using the Fitnessgram battery. The sample consisted of 193 boys and girls, around eight and 12 years old. The results were determined by means of descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. These results showed r = -0.52 and -0.72 for boys and girls respectively, after correlating the percentage of fat and cardiovascular capacity. The correlation of their body mass index and their body weight, towards the percentage of fat were: r = 0.59 girl, 0.76 boy and r = 0.46 girl and 0.67 boy respectively, indicating that, the higher the body mass the higher the increase of fat. The correlation between fat mass and the fixed bar test was inverse, but not high: r = -0.23 and -0.24. However, when this test was correlated with the body mass index, that correlation was higher: r = -0.57 and -0.78, reflecting that the body mass affected the resistance at the bar. Flexibility and agility were not altered by fat mass: r <0.20. In conclusion, it is evidenced that fat mass can decrease cardiovascular capacity and resistance to strength, however, flexibility and speed-agility may not be altered.


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