Cardiorespiratory Responses Induced by Various Military Field Tasks

Typical military tasks include load carriage, digging, and lifting loads. To avoid accumulation of fatigue, it is important to know the energy expenditure of soldiers during such tasks. The purpose of this study was to measure cardiorespiratory responses during military tasks in field conditions. Unloaded (M1) and loaded (M2) marching, artillery field preparation (AFP), and digging of defensive positions (D) were monitored. 15 conscripts carried additional weight of military outfit (5.4 kg) during M1, AFP, and D and during M2 full combat gear (24.4 kg). Absolute and relative oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR) of M1 (n = 8) were 1.5 ± 0.1 L min(-1), 19.9 ± 2.7 mL kg(-1) min(-1) (42 ± 7%…

Varusmiesten liikuntakoulutusta kehittämässä : harjoitteluinterventiotutkimuksen vaikutukset fyysiseen toimintakykyyn, liikunnan minäpystyvyyteen ja varusmiesten kokemukseen liikuntakoulutuksessa

Sotilas tarvitsee operatiivisessa työssään monipuolisesti fyysistä suorituskykyä ja nykyaikainen taistelukenttä edellyttääkin sotilailta sekä voimaa että kestävyyttä. Puolustusvoimien fyysisen koulutuksen tärkeimpänä tavoitteena on valmistaa sotilasta selviytymään omasta poikkeusolojen tehtävästään. nonPeerReviewed

Diet Macronutrient Composition, Physical Activity, and Body Composition in Soldiers During 6 Months Deployment

Introduction: Optimal diet together with good physical fitness maintains readiness and military performance during longer deployments. The purpose of this study was to describe changes in dietary macronutrient and energy intake, total physical activity and body composition during a 6-month deployment in South Lebanon. Furthermore, associations of diet macronutrient intake and physical activity on body composition were also studied. - Materials and Methods: Forty male soldiers kept a 3-day food diary and their body composition was measured via bioimpedance and ultrasonography. Total physical activity was evaluated by accelerometers in a subgroup of participants. Measurements were conducted i…

Effects of overnight military training and acute battle stress on the cognitive performance of soldiers in simulated urban combat

Understanding the effect of stress, fatigue, and sleep deprivation on the ability to maintain an alert and attentive state in an ecologically valid setting is of importance as lapsing attention can, in many safety-critical professions, have devastating consequences. Here we studied the effect of close-quarters battle (CQ battle) exercise combined with overnight military training with sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, namely sustained attention and response inhibition. In addition, the effect of the CQ battle and overnight training on cardiac activity [heart rate and root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD)] during the cognitive testing and the relationship between ca…

Can Physiological and Psychological Factors Predict Dropout from Intense 10-Day Winter Military Survival Training?

Background: In the military context, high levels of physiological and psychological stress together can compromise individual&rsquo

Differences in Training Adaptations of Endurance Performance during Combined Strength and Endurance Training in a 6-Month Crisis Management Operation

Decreases in aerobic fitness during military operations have been observed in several studies. Thus, differences in training adaptations during a 6-month crisis-management operation were compared by using the change in endurance performance as the outcome measure. Sixty-six male soldiers volunteered for the study, consisting of pre−post assessments of blood biomarkers, body composition, physical performance, and the military simulation test (MST) performance. Physical training volume was self-reported. After the follow-up, the data were divided based on individual changes in endurance performance. Endurance performance was improved in the high-responder group (HiR, n = 25) and maintai…

Device-Based Measures of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity Are Associated With Physical Fitness and Body Fat Content

Introduction/Purpose: Physical activity and sedentary time may associate with physical fitness and body composition. Yet, there exists some observational studies that have investigated the associations of device-based measures of sedentary time and physical activity (PA) with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition but associations with muscular fitness (MF) are less studied.Methods: Objective sedentary time and physical activity was measured by a hip worn accelerometer from 415 young adult men (age: mean 26, standard deviation 7 years). Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) (CRF) was determined using a graded cycle ergometer test until exhaustion. Maximal force of lower extremiti…

Comparison between direct and predicted maximal oxygen uptake measurement during cycling.

Predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) measurements are based on the assumption of linear relationship between heart rate or power output and oxygen consumption during various intensities. To develop more reliable predicted test for soldiers, the purpose of the present study was to compare the results of direct measurements of VO2max to respective predicted values in cycling (military fitness test). The predicted mean (+/- SD) peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) value was 45.2 +/- 7.7 mL kg(-1) min(-1) during first week, whereas the respective direct value was 44.8 +/- 8.5 mL kg(-1) min(-1). During the ninth week, the predicted and measured mean (+/-SD) VO2max values were 47.4 +/- 6.7 mL kg(-1) …

Physical Fitness and Body Anthropometrics Profiles of the Female Recruits Entering to Voluntary Military Service

Introduction. The physical fitness of male conscripts has decreased, and body mass increased during the last few decades, especially in Nordic countries. However, limited research-based reports are available concerning the physical fitness profiles of female recruits. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate changes in physical fitness and body composition of female recruits entering voluntary Finnish military service between the years 2005 and 2015. Materials and methods. Data were collected from the initial fitness tests performed in military units during the first two weeks of military service. A total of 3875 healthy female recruits (19.9±2.1 yr.) participated in the fitn…

Physical training considerations for optimizing performance in essential military tasks

Physically demanding essential military tasks include load carriage, manual material handling and casualty evacuation. This narrative review characterizes the main physical attributes related to performance of these occupational tasks and reviews physical training intervention studies in military settings to improve performance in these military tasks. Load carriage performance requires both aerobic and neuromuscular fitness with greater emphasis on maximal strength and absolute maximal oxygen uptake, especially when carrying heavier loads. In manual material handling, maximal strength and power are strongly associated with discrete lifting, while muscular strength, muscular endurance and a…

Physical fitness, BMI and sickness absence in male military personnel

Background In modern society, decreased physical activity and/or changes in quality and quantity of nutritional intake contribute to obesity and lifestyle diseases that result in economic costs, both to society and to individuals. Aims To measure physical fitness and body mass index (BMI) and to assess their association with sickness absence in male soldiers. Methods Data regarding BMI and physical fitness (aerobic endurance and muscle fitness) were collected for male Finnish military personnel and combined with sickness absence data collected in the year 2004. The duration and costs of sickness absence were obtained from the personnel administration. Results A total of 7179 male military p…

Physical Fitness in Young Men between 1975 and 2015 with a Focus on the Years 2005–2015

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate changes in physical fitness and anthropometry of young men entering the military service in Finland during the years 1975–2015. Methods: The study included the fitness test results of 627,142 healthy young male conscripts (age 19.1 T 0.4 yr). Data included results of aerobic capacity, muscle fitness tests, and anthropometric characteristics. Results: The results show that the increase in mean body mass of young men has slowed down during the last 10 yr. However, the total increase in body mass was 6.8 kg (8.8%, P e 0.001) between 1993 and 2015. The mean distance achieved in the 12-min running test decreased by 337 m (12.2%, P e 0.…

Varusmiesten liikuntakoulutus osana Koulutus 2020 -uudistusta : tutkimusraportti

Puolustusvoimien fyysisen koulutuksen tärkeimpänä tavoitteena on valmistaa sotilasta selviytymään omasta tehtävästään. Koulutus 2020 -ohjelman mukaisessa varusmieskoulutuksessa tavoitteena on kehittää liikuntakoulutusta siten, että varusmiesten kokonaisvaltainen toimintakyky parantuisi. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on verrata uusimuotoisen ja suunnitelmallisen fyysisen toimintakyvyn harjoittelun vaikutuksia nykyiseen liikuntakoulutukseen tutkimalla varusmiesten kestävyys- ja voimaominaisuuksia, kognitiivista toimintakykyä, veren hormonipitoisuuksia, kehonkoostumusta ja terveyttä perus- (P), erikois- (E) ja joukko- (J) koulutuskausien aikana. Tutkimus toteutettiin Kainuun prikaatissa II/2…

Device-Based Measures of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity Are Associated With Physical Fitness and Body Fat Content

Introduction/Purpose: Physical activity and sedentary time may associate with physical fitness and body composition. Yet, there exists some observational studies that have investigated the associations of device-based measures of sedentary time and physical activity (PA) with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition but associations with muscular fitness (MF) are less studied. Methods: Objective sedentary time and physical activity was measured by a hip worn accelerometer from 415 young adult men (age: mean 26, standard deviation 7 years). Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) (CRF) was determined using a graded cycle ergometer test until exhaustion. Maximal force of lower extremit…

Energy Balance, Hormonal Status, and Military Performance in Strenuous Winter Training

Severe energy deficit may impair hormonal regulation and physical performance in military trainings. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between energy intake, expenditure, and balance, hormones and military performance during a winter survival training. Two groups were studied: the FEX group (n = 46) had 8-day garrison and field training, whereas the RECO group (n = 26) had a 36-h recovery period after the 6-day garrison and field training phase. Energy intake was assessed by food diaries, expenditure via heart rate variability, body composition by bioimpedance, and hormones by blood samples. Strength, endurance and shooting tests were done for evaluating military perform…

Performance changes during repeated military occupational test and its associations to physical performance

The present study investigated performance changes during three runs (1 min recovery) of repeated military simulation task test (RMST) and its associations with physical performance. Voluntary male soldiers (N = 114) participated in a series of measurements of physical performance. Lower body explosive force production, anaerobic endurance and upper body strength endurance together explained 58% of the variance in the first RSMT (p < 0.001). The same variables explained the variance in the second and third runs of RSMT by 60% and 51%, but explosive force production was replaced with aerobic endurance, assessed by the 3.2 km loaded run (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that the role of ex…

Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in young adult Finnish men between 2003 and 2015

Introduction Physical fitness is strongly related to health and may offer valuable information about public health. We investigated trends in physical fitness, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and anthropometry of young healthy adult Finnish men in representative population-based samples between 2003 and 2015. Methods Three independent cross-sectional samples of 18- to 35-year-old Finnish men were assessed in 2003 (n = 889), 2008 (n = 803), and 2015 (n = 690). Cardiorespiratory (VO(2)max) and muscular fitness (1-minute sit-ups and push-ups), body mass, and height were measured. Self-reported LTPA was assessed. Results After adjusting for age, education, and smoking, cardiorespiratory …

Diet Macronutrient Composition, Physical Activity, and Body Composition in Soldiers During 6 Months Deployment

Abstract Introduction Optimal diet together with good physical fitness maintains readiness and military performance during longer deployments. The purpose of this study was to describe changes in dietary macronutrient and energy intake, total physical activity and body composition during a 6-month deployment in South Lebanon. Furthermore, associations of diet macronutrient intake and physical activity on body composition were also studied. Materials and Methods Forty male soldiers kept a 3-day food diary and their body composition was measured via bioimpedance and ultrasonography. Total physical activity was evaluated by accelerometers in a subgroup of participants. Measurements were conduc…

Effects of Combined Strength and Endurance Training on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Serum Hormones During a 6-Month Crisis Management Operation

Pihlainen, K, Kyröläinen, H, Santtila, M, Ojanen, T, Raitanen, J, and Häkkinen, K. Effects of combined strength and endurance training on body composition, physical fitness, and serum hormones during a 6-month crisis management operation. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Very few studies have examined the impact of training interventions on soldier readiness during an international military operation. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of combined strength and endurance training on body composition, physical performance, and hormonal status during a 6-month international military deployment consisting of typical peacekeeping tasks, e.g., patrolling, observation, a…

High-Intensity Functional Training Induces Superior Training Adaptations Compared With Traditional Military Physical Training

Helén, J, Kyröläinen, H, Ojanen, T, Pihlainen, K, Santtila, M, Heikkinen, R, and Vaara, JP. High-intensity functional training induces superior training adaptations compared with traditional military physical training. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2023—This study examined the effectiveness of concurrent strength and endurance training with an emphasis on high-intensity functional training (HIFT) during military service. Voluntary male conscripts (aged 18–28 years) were placed in either an experimental (EXP: n = 50–66) or a control (CON: n = 50–67) group. The training for the EXP group included HIFT using body mass, sandbags, and kettlebells. The CON group trained according to the cur…

Associations of Physical Fitness and Body Composition Characteristics With Simulated Military Task Performance

Pihlainen, K, Santtila, M, Hakkinen, K, and Kyrolainen, H. Associations of physical fitness and body composition characteristics with simulated military task performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 1089-1098, 2018-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations of physical fitness and body composition characteristics with anaerobic endurance performance, tested in the combat load using the occupationally relevant military simulation test (MST). Eighty-one male soldiers, deployed to a crisis management operation in the Middle East, volunteered for the study and participated in a test battery consisting measurements of muscle strength, body composition characteristics, endurance ca…

Changes in physical fitness and anthropometrics differ between female and male recruits during the Finnish military service

IntroductionMilitary training programmes are often similar for male and female recruits despite sex differences in physical performance that may influence training adaptations during military service. The present study aimed to compare changes in physical fitness and anthropometrics between Finnish female and male recruits during military service.MethodsA total of 234 690 male and 3549 female recruits participated in fitness tests at the beginning and end of military service between 2005 and 2015. Anthropometric measurements were body mass, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Fitness tests consisted 12 min running, standing long jump, and sit-ups and push-ups.Results…

Physical training considerations for optimizing performance in essential military tasks.

Physically demanding essential military tasks include load carriage, manual material handling and casualty evacuation. This narrative review characterizes the main physical attributes related to performance of these occupational tasks and reviews physical training intervention studies in military settings to improve performance in these military tasks. Load carriage performance requires both aerobic and neuromuscular fitness with greater emphasis on maximal strength and absolute maximal oxygen uptake, especially when carrying heavier loads. In manual material handling, maximal strength and power are strongly associated with discrete lifting, while muscular strength, muscular endurance and a…

Relationships between psychosocial well-being and leisure time physical activity among 160.000 young Finnish men: a cross-sectional study during 2015–2021

AbstractEvidence on the relationship between psychosocial well-being and physical activity (PA) is insufficient, especially in young adults between 18 and 29 years. Identifying protective factors for psychosocial well-being as well as factors that may promote PA behaviour in this specific age group is crucial.The aim of the present study was to explore the association between self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and a number of measures of psychosocial well-being in a large sample of Finnish young men. The sample used for this study is based on registers of the Finnish Defence Forces and consist of questionnaire-based data collected from 159,776 young healthy men (18–29 years…

Kyky toimia arvossaan turvallisuusaloilla

Turvallisuusalojen henkilöstön fyysisen toimintakyvyn ylläpito korostuu Euroopan kiristyneessä turvallisuustilanteessa. nonPeerReviewed

Effects of baseline fitness and BMI levels on changes in physical fitness during military service.

Objectives The purpose of the present study was to investigate how aerobic fitness, muscle fitness and body mass index (BMI) change in relation to their baseline levels during 6-12 months of military service. Design Retrospective longitudinal follow-up study. Methods The study group consisted of 249 279 healthy young male conscripts (age 19.1 ± 0.4 yrs.) who completed their military service between the years 2005-2015. Anthropometrics (body mass, height, BMI), aerobic fitness (12-minute running test) and muscle fitness (sit-ups, push-ups, standing long jump) were measured. Results A 12-minute running test improved by 5% (107 ± 292 m), standing long jump 1% (2.1 ± 16.2 cm), 1-min sit-ups 19%…

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

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 dista…

Optimising training adaptations and performance in military environment.

Abstract Objectives Worldwide decreases in physical fitness and increases in body fat among youth have set challenges for armed forces to recruit physically capable soldiers. Therefore, knowledge of optimizing physical adaptation and performance through physical training is vital. In addition, maintaining or improving physical performance among professional soldiers in various military environments is crucial for overall military readiness. The present review focuses on the effects of military training on physical performance by searching for optimal methods to do it. Design and methods Review article based on selected literature searches using the main keywords ‘physical performance’ and ‘…

Physiological and physical performance changes during a 20-day winter military training course and its subsequent 10-day recovery period

The present study investigated physiological, mental and physical performance changes during a 20-day winter military training course and the following 10-day recovery period. Fifty-eight (age 19 ± 1 years, height 182 ± 6 cm, body mass 78.5 ± 7.2 kg) male soldiers volunteered. Body composition, serum biomarker levels and performance tests were measured four times during the study. In addition, questionnaires were collected daily for subjective stress and rate of perceived exertion. The course induced significant declines in body (−3.9%, p < 0.05) and fat mass (−31.6%, p < 0.05) as well as in all assessed physical performance variables (−9.2 - −20.2%, p < 0.05), testosterone (−73.7%, p < 0.0…

Optimising Training Adaptations and Performance in Military Environment

Abstract Objectives Worldwide decreases in physical fitness and increases in body fat among youth have set challenges for armed forces to recruit physically capable soldiers. Therefore, knowledge of optimizing physical adaptation and performance through physical training is vital. In addition, maintaining or improving physical performance among professional soldiers in various military environments is crucial for overall military readiness. The present review focuses on the effects of military training on physical performance by searching for optimal methods to do it. Design and methods Review article based on selected literature searches using the main keywords ‘physical performance’ and ‘…

Associations of nutrition and body composition with cardiovascular disease risk factors in soldiers during a 6-month deployment

Objectives This observational follow-up study investigated the associations of nutrition and body composition with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including pro-inflammatory biomarkers, in soldiers during a 6-month deployment. Material and Methods Thirty-five male soldiers were assessed at months 0, 3 and 6, and their parameters, i.e., M±SD, were as follows: age 30.0±8.7 years, height 179±6 cm, and BMI 24.2±2.5 kg/m 2 . Three-day food diaries were used for monitoring macronutrient intake. Body composition was estimated using bioimpedance. Fasting blood samples for lipids and pro-inflammatory biomarkers were collected, and blood pressure measurements were performed. Results Carboh…

Optimal Physical Training During Military Basic Training Period

The goal for military basic training (BT) is to create a foundation for physical fitness and military skills of soldiers. Thereafter, more advanced military training can safely take place. Large differences in the initial physical performance of conscripts or recruits have led military units to develop more safe and effective training programs. The purpose of this review article was to describe the limiting factors of optimal physical training during the BT period. This review revealed that the high volume of low-intensity physical activity combined with endurance-type military training (like combat training, prolonged physical activity, and field shooting) during BT interferes with optimal…

Physical Fitness and Body Anthropometrics Profiles of the Female Recruits Entering to Voluntary Military Service.

Training-Induced Acute Neuromuscular Responses to Military Specific Test during a Six-Month Military Operation

Limited data are available regarding strength and endurance training adaptations to occupational physical performance during deployment. This study assessed acute training-induced changes in neuromuscular (electromyography

Evaluation of occupational physical load during 6-month international crisis management operation

Objectives Generally, operational military duties are associated with a variety of stressors, such as prolonged physical activity (PA). However, limited information is available on the occupational workload or changes in PA during international military operations. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the changes in body composition, stress biomarkers, PA, and heart rate (HR) responses of 79 male soldiers during a 6-month international crisis management operation. Material and Methods Measurements were conducted 3 times in South-Lebanon during the operation. Body composition was assessed by the bioelectrical impedance method. Blood samples were analyzed for serum testosterone, sex-…