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

Abstract

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.

Influence of Physical Fitness and Attention Level on Academic Achievements of Female and Male Military Academy Cadets in Poland

“…Then, in the course of military studies, semester credits include strength tests, starting with hanging on a bar with arms bent, through marching and running with loads and ending with pull-ups on a bar and instrumental gymnastics. An adequate level of strength is a desirable motor ability that has been the subject of much research at other military academies and cadet training centres around the world [41][42][43][44][45]. The presence of strength in the regression analysis can be explained by the need for women to undertake strength training, as they are forced to put the most work into shaping their strength to meet the demands of daily military service.…”

Physical fitness and anthropometrics in Finnish soldiers during their early career: prospective changes during a 3-year follow-up

“…Nevertheless, a recent study investigated prospective changes in physical fitness and anthropometrics of cadets with a similar 3-year follow-up period as used in the present study. 10 The investigated cadets were 3 years younger (~23 yrs. at baseline) than the participants in the present study, however,in line with the present study, Aandstad et al (2020) observed a decrease in aerobic fitness.…”

“…9 A recent study has shown in Norwegian male cadets that aerobic fitness decreased, while muscle power and muscular endurance increased, during their education period of 3-years. 10 Moreover, increased waist circumference and decreased sit up performance was observed in Air Force Reserve Officer` Training Corps (ROTC) cadets during the 4-year education, while push-up performance and aerobic fitness remained unchanged. 11 about what happens after graduation and during the early career of an officer.…”

Body Composition of Female Air Force Personnel: A Comparative Study of Aircrew, Airplane, and Helicopter Pilots

“…However, only a few studies have been conducted so far on the BC of air force personnel [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The BC of air force personnel might differ from that of army and navy personnel, reflecting the different physiological demands to which they are subjected [ 4 ]. This aspect showed that research findings in army and navy personnel cannot be applied to those in the air force.…”

“…BC depends on the aircrew’s job, with airplane pilots being taller, and having more total body water, intracellular water, extracellular water, proteins, minerals, soft lean mass, fat-free mass, and skeletal muscle mass than transport aircrew as well as lower body mass index (BMI) and body fat mass than transport aircrew [ 1 ]. So far, studies on the BC of air force personnel have focused on men’s groups, with fewer data reported on women [ 4 , 9 ]. BC is a health-related fitness component that differs between women and men for an average score.…”