Physical fitness test performance probability with increasing age: suggestions for practical applications in military physical training

Abstract

This article analyzes the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) which is performed by the Brazilian Navy to check the physical parameters of its military members in order to present the performance of probabilities with increasing age. We analyzed 702 PFT data in this study, separated into three groups based on the age of those assessed by the PFT, as follows: young adults (YA, n=91, age range between 20-30 years), adults (A, n=243, age range between 30-40 years) and mature adults (MA, n=368, age range between 40-50 years old). PFT measurements were: Body Mass Index (BMI), 100 m freestyle swimming, 3,200 m running, 1 min sit-ups, Pull-up on the bar and Push-up test. The main results indicated significant differences between groups when compared Body mass (YA: 79.1±11.4kg and A: 82.1±14kg < MA: 84.1±12.3kg), BMI (YA: 25.4±2.9 < A: 26.4±4.3 < MA: 27.5±4),Pull-ups (YA: 10.8±4.6 freq./min < A: 10±3.6 freq./min < MA: 8.5±4.7 freq./min), 3,200 m running time (YA: 1282,1±172,4s < A: 1421±199.8s < MA: 1566.7±192.4s) and 100 m swimming time (YA: 140.1±45.6s < A: 149.7±37.9s < MA: 180.8±50s) and the regression analysis demonstrated that 3,200 m running and pull-ups were the most affected variable of aging process (p<0.05). In summary, it is possible to carry out a practical application, considering aging process and the decline of the aerobic capacity and the upper limbs strength-power in Military Physical Training.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT) in Police and Military in Brazil: A Systematic Review

“…The participant performs as many correct sit ups as possible in 60 seconds. [9][10][11][12][13]15,16,19 In the article by Rodrigues et al 18 the numbers of sit ups were considered inadequate, which was related to high values of BMI. In the article by Esteves et al 11 conditioning was also considered inappropriate, however, BMI was classified as normal, and thus, the relationship between BMI and physical fitness was found.…”

“…In the 50m, 3,200m and 1,600m tests, the time required to cover the distances of 50m, 3,200m and 1,600m, respectively is recorded. 9,13,17 The shuttle run test of running back and forth, repeatedly, a distance of 20 meters, controlled by a sound stimulus. 10 TST was performed following a specific protocol, monitored by electrocardiography; the test was performed which made it possible to collect hemodynamic data.…”

“…The most reported tests were one-minute sit-ups (1 MA) [9][10][11][12][13]15,16,19 and 12-minute run/walk, both in eight articles (72.7%); 9,12,[14][15][16][17][18][19] followed by push-ups in five articles (45.5%); 10,11,12,15,19 pull-ups in four articles (36.4%); 9,12,13,18 Flexitest (FT) in two articles (18.18%); 15,19 and running tests (3,200m, 1,600m, or 50m), 13,17,9 treadmill stress test (TST), 11 shuttle run (SR) 10 test, the Wells bench (WB) 10 test, and 100-meter swimming test (100mST) 13 in one article each (12.5%).…”

“…As for the experimental design, five (45.5%) 11,12,15,18,19 articles with descriptive statistics were identified, four (36.4%) [12][13][14]16 registry data evaluation, two (18.2%) 10,13 made comparisons between groups, one (9.1 %) 17 comparison between tests and one (9.1%) 9 comparisons between conditions before and after intervention, and one articles used more than one of methods. 9 Nine articles used anthropometric evaluation nine involving measurement of body mass index (BMI) (81.8%) [9][10][11]13,14,[16][17][18][19] , four %BF (36.6%) 10,11,16,18 , three waist circumference (WC) (27.3%) 10,11,14 and one waisthipratio (9,1%) 11 . One article reported hemodynamic data on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (9.1%) 11 ; and one evaluated perception of effort (9.1%) 17 , and one article (9.1%) 9 evaluated injuries during the intervention.…”

“…Among the selected articles, in five the deleterious effects of aging sensitive to the performance of the TAF were reported. 10,12,13,15,19…”