Influence of Military Training and Standardized Nutrition in Military Unit on Soldiers' Nutritional Status and Physical Fitness

Abstract

Tomczak, A, Bertrandt, J, Kłos, A, and Kłos, K. Influence of military training and standardized nutrition in military unit on soldiers' nutritional status and physical fitness. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2774-2780, 2016-Despite suspension of conscription in Polish Army, trainings of soldiers are still carried out. It is expected that they will be effective and will contribute to obtaining optimum level of psychophysical efficiency that enables fulfillment of military tasks. Total of 60 soldiers took part in the study. During the 9-month military service, soldiers had 200 hours of physical training and basic military training (shooting, drill, anti-chemical training, topography, general tactics, and military equipment operation). The training lasted 8 hours everyday. To assess fitness level, 4 trials were done: long jump, pull-ups, sit-ups, and 1,000 m run. Evaluation of food was based on the analysis of full board menus using the "Tables of composition and nutritional value of food products." Energy value was assessed, and content of basic nutrients was calculated. Assessment of nutritional status was based on anthropometric measurements, such as body height, body mass, and thickness of 4 selected skinfolds. Body height and body mass were the basis for the body mass index calculation. Soldiers serving in the mechanized infantry unit, after completing the training, got better results only in 1,000 m run (from 250.3 to 233.61 seconds). During the research, an average energy value of a daily food ration planned for consumption was 4,504 kcal. This value consisted of 13.2% of energy from protein, 31.9% of energy from fat, and 54.9% from carbohydrates. In the course of military service, percentage of subjects indicating overweight increased from 10.2 to 25.4%.

Dietary, physical activity, and weight management interventions among active-duty military personnel: a systematic review

“…In total, 38 studies were selected and included in the qualitative synthesis. The majority of studies were conducted in the US [14, 17, 21–42], followed by Europe [43–54]. Ten studies included recruits during basic military training [21, 25, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55, 56], while 28 included fully qualified military personnel [14, 17, 22–24, 26–42, 45, 46, 49, 51, 53, 54].…”

“…The majority of studies were conducted in the US [14, 17, 21–42], followed by Europe [43–54]. Ten studies included recruits during basic military training [21, 25, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55, 56], while 28 included fully qualified military personnel [14, 17, 22–24, 26–42, 45, 46, 49, 51, 53, 54]. Included studies were conducted in different military branches, including the Navy [14, 22, 26, 32], Air Force [17, 23, 30, 31, 34, 40–42], Army [33, 35–38, 49, 51, 53, 54], Defense Force [46], multiple military branches [24, 26–29] and military service/basic military training [21, 25, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55, 56].…”

“…Ten studies included recruits during basic military training [21, 25, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55, 56], while 28 included fully qualified military personnel [14, 17, 22–24, 26–42, 45, 46, 49, 51, 53, 54]. Included studies were conducted in different military branches, including the Navy [14, 22, 26, 32], Air Force [17, 23, 30, 31, 34, 40–42], Army [33, 35–38, 49, 51, 53, 54], Defense Force [46], multiple military branches [24, 26–29] and military service/basic military training [21, 25, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55, 56]. Twelve studies were RCTs [14, 23, 25, 30, 32, 33, 35–37, 41, 51, 52], nine studies were nonrandomized control trials or quasi-experimental studies [17, 26, 31, 43, 44, 46, 47, 50, 52], 13 studies were longitudinal studies [21, 22, 24, 28, 38–40, 45, 48, 49, 54–56], and four studies were retrospective studies […”

A review of the physiological and psychological health and wellbeing of naval service personnel and the modalities used for monitoring

“…For some occupations, such as firefighters and the police, introducing a health and fitness program can lead to a reduction in the time needed to perform occupational activities [69, 70]. Among military personnel, these programs have led to an increase in performance during physical fitness testing [71]. Positive cost effective outcomes have also been evident in military settings.…”

Linear regression correlation of health behaviour factors and fitness skills in the Hungarian Defence Forces

“…11,12,13 It is also clear that the eating habits connect to the soldiers' physical condition. 14,15 Our goal was to reveal the relationships between the physical skills necessary for military service and some of the health behaviour factors and also to identify those non-physical lifestyle parameters which could in uence the cardio-, vascular training rates, as well as the muscle strength endurance of arm and trunk muscles.…”