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

Abstract

IntroductionPhysical fitness is a fundamental capability required of military personnel, but studies focusing on longitudinal changes in physical fitness and anthropometrics in soldiers are lacking. The aim was to evaluate physical fitness and anthropometrics in soldiers during their early career.MethodsA 3-year prospective study included 180 male soldiers (baseline age 26±2 years) with measures of a 12 min running test, standing long jump, sit-up and push-up tests, and body mass, height and waist circumference (WC). Baseline data were stratified into tertiles, and the changes within each tertile were analysed using dependent t-tests and analysis of variance.Results12 min running test distance decreased on average by 2% (−54 m), sit-up performance 3% (−1.5 repetitions (reps)/min), push-up performance 4% (−1.9 reps/min) and standing long jump performance 1% (−2.1 cm) over the 3-year period (p<0.05). Both aerobic and muscular fitness decreased consistently among the highest baseline tertile (12 min running test: −70 m, sit-ups: −3.2 reps/min, push-ups: −7.5 reps/min, standing long jump: −5.5 cm; p<0.001), whereas both aerobic and muscular fitness levels were maintained and push-up performance was improved (p<0.05) in the lowest baseline tertiles. Body mass increased on average by 4% (+3.4 kg) and WC by 4% (+3.9 cm) (p<0.001), and these increases were observed for all baseline tertiles (p<0.05).ConclusionsSmall decrements in physical fitness and anthropometrics exist during the early career of soldiers. The changes in physical fitness differed according to baseline fitness levels. The results indicate that support for exercise training may be needed even in a soldier’s early career.

Correlation Between the Cardiorespiratory Fitness Level and Habitual Physical Activity in Brazilian Air Force Recruits

“…Despite approximately 63% of the sample having been classified as "good" and "excellent" cardiorespiratory fitness, the average presented in the 12-minute test (2765 ± 231.8 m) shows acceptable indexes for cardiorespiratory fitness, constituting a superior result to others found in the literature. As an example, higher values were observed in the 12-minute test in this study when compared to FAB military personnel from a Military Organization located in southern Brazil (2485.3 ± 322.4m) (Pereira & Teixeira, 2006), as well as being superior to those presented by Finnish military personnel (also recruits), who presented an average of 2661 ± 191m (Vaara et al, 2020). When compared with subjects with similar ages to those in the present study, similar values to those of FAB recruits in the final training period were identified (2752 ± 217m) (Campos et al, 2017).…”

“…Likewise, higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels need to be maintained during their careers, which demands that military personnel are periodically submitted to physical tests and body analyses, regardless of the nature of the assignments performed (operational or support), rank/graduation, or gender (Knapik, 1989;Avila et al, 2013;Vaara et al, 2020). Regular physical tests have the function of verifying the physical conditions of the military in relation to the minimum standards required for the proper exercise of their operational demands.…”