Less Body Fat Improves Physical and Physiological Performance in Army Soldiers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare physical and physiological fitness test performance between Soldiers meeting the Department of Defense (DoD) body fat standard (< or = 18%) and those exceeding the standard (> 18%). Ninety-nine male 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Soldiers were assigned to group 1: < or = 18% body fat (BF) or group 2: > 18% BE. Groups 1 and 2 had similar amounts of fat-free mass (FFM) (66.8 +/- 8.2 vs. 64.6 +/- 8.0, p = 177). Each subject performed a Wingate cycle protocol to test anaerobic power and capacity, an incremental treadmill maximal oxygen uptake test for aerobic capacity, isokinetic tests for knee flexion/extension and shoulder internal/external rotation strength, and the Army Physical Fitness Test. Results showed group 1: < 18% BF performed significantly better on 7 of the 10 fitness tests. In Soldiers with similar amounts of FFM, Soldiers with less body fat had improved aerobic and anaerobic capacity and increased muscular strength.

Physical and Performance Characteristics Related to Unintentional Musculoskeletal Injury in Special Forces Operators: A Prospective Analysis

“…However, an increased percentage of body fat was related to decreased performance, and therefore, optimization is still recommended in future efforts to maximize force effectiveness. 13 …”

“…12 Excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ¼ 0.98, standard error of the mean [SEM] ¼ 0.47% body fat) has been demonstrated for this method. 13 The Velotron cycling ergometer (RacerMate Inc, Seattle, WA) and Wingate protocol were used to measure peak anaerobic power and capacity during a maximaleffort trial.…”

“…To further evaluate each variable as a potential risk factor for injury, we determined cutoff values for each variable ( Table 2). The bottom 25th percentile value of each variable was used for all cutoff values except for body fat percentage; previous researchers 13 have demonstrated that general Army Soldiers with greater than 18% body fat displayed decreased physical performance. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.…”

A Comparative Study on Physical Activity, Dietary Habits, and Physical Strength According to Body Fat Groups in College Students

“…In a precedent study, muscular strength [13], flexibility [14], and lung capacity [15] were also reported to be low in the high body fat group. This might be due to difference of physical activity between the two groups.…”

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

“…Additionally, smokers and individuals who have a higher BMI are associated with slower 1.5 mile run/times, as well as poorer upper strength and core fitness [78]. A separate study found that individuals who had a higher body fat level performed better on the push-up test but worse on every other test compared to individuals who have low body fat levels [79]. These studies indicate that those who have a body fat that is below the overweight level can physically perform better on occupational tasks.…”