ABSTRACTSedliak, M, Sedliak, P, and Vaara, JP. Effects of 6-month military deployment on physical fitness, body composition, and selected health-related biomarkers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X)000–000, ...2018—The purpose was to study the effects of 6-month deployment to Afghanistan on physical performance, anthropometrical, and health-related biochemical parameters in soldiers with sedentary to light physical workload shifts. Twenty-five male soldiers (30 ± 4 years) volunteered and were measured before and after the 6-month deployment. Another 25 home-land–based male soldiers (30 ± 6 years) served as controls. Total body fat percentage decreased in deployed soldiers (Pre23.2 ± 5.3 vs. Post20.8 ± 5.5%, p < 0.05), whereas no change was observed in control (20.2 ± 6.9 vs. 20.5 ± 7.0%). Physical performance improved in deployed soldiers in 4 × 10-m shuttle run (10.86 ± 0.90 vs. 10.49 ± 0.63 seconds) and pull-up test to failure (4.7 ± 3.7 vs. 7.5 ± 6.7 rep.) (p < 0.05) but not in the controls for the respective tests (10.28 ± 0.74 vs. 10.40 ± 0.76 seconds and 10.2 ± 7.8 vs. 10.2 ± 7.5 rep.). Deployed soldiers also improved 5-km run with a simulated combat gear time (29.2 ± 3.1 vs. 27.4 ± 3.0 minutes), whereas in control the time increased (26.4 ± 2.9 vs. 27.8 ± 2.6 minutes, p < 0.05). Load at maximum power output in bench press was improved in deployed soldiers (51.6 ± 11.3 vs. 56.2 ± 12.6 kg, p < 0.05). Serum glucose and creatinine decreased (5.46 ± 0.53 vs. 4.87 ± 0.74 mmol·L and 87.4 ± 10.7 vs. 80.9 ± 10.2 μmmol·L, respectively), and hemoglobin and hematocrite increased (15.13 ± 0.82 vs. 16.75 ± 0.85 g·dl and 45.3 ± 1.5 vs. 48.1 ± 2.4%, respectively, p < 0.05) in the deployment group. In conclusion, after 6-month deployment consisting of sedentary and low physical occupational load, soldiers were able to increase their physical fitness and decrease their body fat content and improve selected health-related biochemical parameters. Therefore, the adoption and promotion of leisure-time physical activity in soldiers during deployments is essential to maintain combat readiness.
The present study investigated performance changes during three runs (1 min recovery) of repeated military simulation task test (RMST) and its associations with physical performance. Voluntary male ...soldiers (N = 114) participated in a series of measurements of physical performance. Lower body explosive force production, anaerobic endurance and upper body strength endurance together explained 58% of the variance in the first RSMT (p < 0.001). The same variables explained the variance in the second and third runs of RSMT by 60% and 51%, but explosive force production was replaced with aerobic endurance, assessed by the 3.2 km loaded run (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that the role of explosive power of the lower body decreased and military specific aerobic endurance increased when occupational performance was assessed under acute fatigue even during a short high-intensity test. These results may benefit tactical strength and conditioning coaches in training optimisation for improved occupational performance in military.
Practioners summary: Soldiers are required to perform occupational tasks in a repeated manner with short recovery time. In the present study, the role of explosive power of the lower body decreased and military specific aerobic endurance increased when occupational performance was assessed with a repeated high-intensity task specific performance test.
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BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Worldwide decreases in physical fitness and increases in body fat among youth have set challenges for armed forces to recruit physically capable soldiers. Therefore, knowledge of optimizing physical ...adaptation and performance through physical training is vital. In addition, maintaining or improving physical performance among professional soldiers in various military environments is crucial for overall military readiness. The present review focuses on the effects of military training on physical performance by searching for optimal methods to do it.
Review article based on selected literature searches using the main keywords ‘physical performance’ and ‘training’ and ‘military’ from MEDLINE and SportDiscus® engines. Additional selected references were included that encompassed the same words but were not found in the present search.
Military training mainly consists of prolonged physical activities and training performed at low-intensities, which may interfere with optimal muscle strength and considering development of maximal strength, power, and aerobic capacity. Combined endurance and strength training seems to be a superior training method to improve overall physical performance of soldiers.
The present study demonstrated that military training needs a greater variation in training stimulus to induce more effective training adaptations, especially, when considering the development of maximal or explosive strength and maximal aerobic capacity. Training programs should be well periodised so that total training load increases progressively but also includes sufficient recovery periods. In addition, some individualized programming is required to avoid unnecessary injuries and overloading because the differences in initial physical fitness of soldiers can be very high.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Abstract
Background
There is growing evidence on positive effects of physical activity (PA) on mental health. However, the focus of previous research on this relationship has typically been on mental ...health from the perspective of mental health problems rather than from the perspective of mental wellbeing. Further, previous research has commonly focused rather on leisure time PA without evidence on the role of other domains of PA. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between positive mental health (PMH) and different domains of PA in young Finnish men. The secondary aim was to examine the reasons for physical inactivity among individuals with a low level of PMH.
Methods
Positive mental health (measured with Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, SWEMWBS), self-reported leisure time, occupational and commuting PA as well as reasons for physical inactivity were measured using questionnaires (
n
= 456, mean age 29 years) among young Finnish males. Logistic regression modelling was used to generate odds for low and high levels of positive mental health for different levels of PA and sociodemographic variables.
Results
A weak positive association between leisure time PA and PMH was found in men with a low level of PMH (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.13–0.86). No association was found in the domains of commuting and occupational PA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed lower level of leisure time PA, unemployment and being single independently predicting low level of PMH. No associations were found between any domains of PA and high level of PMH. The most common reasons for physical inactivity among men with a low level of PMH were lack of interest (28%) and unwillingness to practise sports alone (27%).
Conclusions
The relationship between physical activity and positive mental health seems to vary between different domains of physical activity. The findings highlight the important role of leisure time physical activity, particularly in men with a low level of positive mental health. Strategies aimed at increasing physical activity for mental health benefits should focus particularly on providing opportunities for leisure time physical activity involving social interactions for men with lower mental wellbeing.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The present study investigated physiological, mental and physical performance changes during a 20-day winter military training course and the following 10-day recovery period. Fifty-eight (age 19 ± 1 ...years, height 182 ± 6 cm, body mass 78.5 ± 7.2 kg) male soldiers volunteered. Body composition, serum biomarker levels and performance tests were measured four times during the study. In addition, questionnaires were collected daily for subjective stress and rate of perceived exertion. The course induced significant declines in body (−3.9%, p < 0.05) and fat mass (−31.6%, p < 0.05) as well as in all assessed physical performance variables (−9.2 - −20.2%, p < 0.05), testosterone (−73.7%, p < 0.001) and IGF-1 concentrations (−43.6%, p < 0.001). At the same time, the sex hormone-binding globulin, creatine kinase, and C-reactive protein values increased significantly (46.3-1952.7%, p < 0.05). After the 10-day recovery period, the body composition and hormonal values returned to the baseline (p < 0.05), as did some physical performance variables, such as 2 min sit-ups and the evacuation test (p < 0.05). However, explosive force production in the upper and lower bodies remained unrecovered. The 20-day winter military training caused significant physiological and mental stress, as well as a drastic decline in physical performance even for highly physically fit soldiers, and the 10-day recovery period did not establish full recovery.
Abstract
Background
Despite numerous studies providing evidence for positive effects of physical activity and physical fitness, evidence for association between physical fitness and health-related ...quality of life (HRQoL) in young adults is limited. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the association of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness with HRQoL from the perspective of its physical and mental components among young adult Finnish males.
Methods
The sample consisted of 754 men, with the mean age of 26 years (SD 6.7 years), who participated in the military refresher training. HRQoL was measured using the Finnish RAND 36-item health survey. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by a bicycle ergometer test, and muscular fitness by various tests measuring maximal strength and muscular endurance. Logistic regression modelling was used to compare low, moderate and high physical and mental component of HRQoL scores to the respective levels of muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Results
The findings of the adjusted (age, educational level, marital status, employment status, smoking, use of alcohol and BMI) analysis showed that cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness are positively associated with both physical and mental components of HRQoL. In terms of the physical component of HRQoL, even a moderate fitness level was positively associated with better HRQoL. In terms of the mental component of HRQoL, the impact was seen only in the group with the highest fitness level.
Conclusions
The findings suggest a positive contribution of physical fitness to mental health and highlight the importance of both muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness in the promotion of HRQoL. Even lighter forms of physical activity that result in moderate physical fitness could contribute to the physical component of HRQoL. In terms of the mental component of HRQoL, higher levels of physical fitness may be needed to gain higher levels of HRQoL among young males.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Changes in physiological markers and physical performance in relation to paratroopers' initial body composition were investigated during a 20-day winter military field training (MFT) and the ...subsequent 10-day recovery period. Body composition, serum hormone concentrations and enzymatic biomarkers, and physical performance of 58 soldiers were measured before, during, and after MFT. Comparisons were done according to soldiers' body fat percentage before MFT between low-fat (<12% body fat) and high-fat (>12% body fat) groups. Correlations between body fat percentage preceding MFT and changes in muscle mass, physical performance, and serum hormone concentrations and enzymatic biomarkers were investigated. It was hypothesized that soldiers with a higher fat percentage would have smaller decrements in muscle mass, physical performance, and serum testosterone concentration. The change in muscle and fat mass was different between groups (
< 0.001) as the low-fat group lost 0.8 kg of muscle mass and 2.0 kg of fat mass, while there was no change in muscle mass and a loss of 3.7 kg of fat mass in the high-fat group during MFT. Fat percentage before MFT correlated with the changes in muscle mass (
= 0.26,
< 0.001), serum testosterone concentration (
= 0.22,
< 0.001), and evacuation test time (
= 0.10,
< 0.05) during MFT. The change in muscle mass was correlated with the changes in evacuation test time (
= 0.11,
< 0.05) and countermovement jump test results (
= 0.13,
< 0.01) during MFT. Soldiers with a higher initial fat percentage lost less muscle mass, and had smaller decrements in some aspects of physical performance, as well as in serum testosterone concentration during MFT.
Military operations in urban environments requires faster movements and therefore may place greater demands on soldier strength and anaerobic ability.
The aim was to study how physical fitness and ...body composition are associated with occupational test for urban combat soldiers before and after a 5-day military field exercise (MFE).
Twenty-six conscripts (age = 20±1 yrs.) volunteered, of which thirteen completed the study. Occupational performance was determined by using the newly developed Urban Combat Simulation test (UCS); which included 50-m sprinting, moving a truck tire (56 kg) 2 meters with a sledgehammer, a 12-m kettlebell carry (2×20 kg) up the stairs with a 3-m ascent, 4-time sandbag lifts (20 kg) with obstacle crossing, and a 20-m mannequin (85 kg) drag. Aerobic and muscle fitness, as well as anaerobic capacity were measured, and, body composition was assessed with multifrequency bioimpedance analysis.
The UCS performance correlated significantly with standing long jump performance, as well as lower and upper body maximal strength before (r = -0.56 to -0.66) and after (r = -0.59 to -0.68) MFE, and, with body mass and FFM before (r = -0.81 to -0.83) and after (r = -0.86 to -0.91) MFE. In the regression analyses, fat free mass (R2 = 0.50, p = 0.01) and counter movement jump in combat load (R2 = 0.46, p = 0.009) most strongly explained the UCS performance.
This study demonstrated that muscle mass and lower body explosive force production together with maximal strength are key fitness components related to typical urban combat soldiers' military tasks. Physical training developing these components are recommended.
The present study examined the association of vitamin D measured by serum 25(OH)D with physical performance outcomes and serum levels of anabolic hormones in young men.
412 young men (age 19 ± ...1 year) entering their compulsory military service volunteered to participate in the study. The study consisted of two groups from two different military bases: Group A was studied in January and group B in July. The groups were first compared with each other and due to statistically significant (
< 0.001 analyzed with independent samples
-test) differences in physical condition (sit-up, push-up, and standing long jump-tests and testosterone levels) between the groups, groups were analyzed separately. The serum levels of 25(OH)D, testosterone (TES), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Physical performance tests consisted of muscular fitness (sit-ups, push-ups, standing long jump) and aerobic fitness (12-minute-running) tests. The association of serum 25(OH)D with physical performance tests and anabolic hormones was analyzed using linear regression.
After controlling for the group, body mass index, and leisure-time physical activity, serum 25(OH)D level was positively associated with aerobic and muscular fitness (
= 0.15-0.20, all
< 0.05). Also, the participants with sufficient serum 25(OH)D levels (≥75 nmol/L) had better aerobic and muscular fitness and higher TES in group B, and better upper extremity muscular fitness in group A (all
< 0.05). In group A, there were 166 participants with serum levels of 25(OH) D < 75 nmol/L and 18 ≥ 75 nmol/L. In group B, the amounts were 92 (<75 nmol/L) and 136 (≥75 nmol/L), respectively.
Serum 25(OH)D was positively associated with both aerobic and muscular fitness and those with sufficient vitamin D levels, had higher levels of TES. Thus, maintaining a sufficient serum 25(OH)D level may be beneficial for physical performance and anabolic state in young men.
Evidence on the relationship between psychosocial well-being and physical activity (PA) is insufficient, especially in young adults between 18 and 29 years. Identifying protective factors for ...psychosocial well-being as well as factors that may promote PA behaviour in this specific age group is crucial.The aim of the present study was to explore the association between self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and a number of measures of psychosocial well-being in a large sample of Finnish young men. The sample used for this study is based on registers of the Finnish Defence Forces and consist of questionnaire-based data collected from 159,776 young healthy men (18-29 years, mean age 19 years) who started their military service during the period from 2015 to 2021. Sum scores were calculated for self-esteem and prosocial behaviour. Physical activity, number of friends and the relationship with the parents were each measured with a single question. Unadjusted and adjusted (education, financial situation of the family, family structure) logistic regression models were calculated.A multinominal logistic regression analysis showed that a higher level of LTPA was associated with a higher level of both prosocial behaviour (OR 6.12, 95% CI 5.88-6.36) and self-esteem (OR 4.41 95% CI 4.28-4.54). Further, LTPA had a positive relationship with good social relations, both with peers and parents. The odds ratio for participation in any LTPA weekly was higher (OR 2.74; CI 2.27-3.20) among those who had a close and trustworthy relationship with their parents compared to those men with more challenging relationships with their parents (OR 1.77; CI 1.46-2.14). An inactive lifestyle (PA less than once a week) seemed to be most common among men with no friends. About one third (31%) of men with no friends reported to engage in LTPA less than once a week, while only 10% of men with very many good friends reported to engage in similarly inactive LTPA behaviour.LTPA seems to be positively associated with self-esteem, prosocial behaviour and good social relations among young adult men. Actions aimed at promoting LTPA may have a positive impact on psychosocial well-being among young men, or vice versa. The relationship between PA and psychosocial well-being is complex and interrelated.
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