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…

Cycling but not walking to work or study is associated with physical fitness, body composition and clustered cardiometabolic risk in young men

IntroductionActive commuting is an inexpensive and accessible form of physical activity and may be beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of active commuting and its subcomponents, cycling and walking, with cardiometabolic risk factors, physical fitness and body composition in young men.MethodsParticipants were 776 Finnish young (26±7 years), healthy adult men. Active commuting was measured with self-report. Waist circumference was measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Aerobic fitness was measured with bicycle ergometer and muscular fitness with maximal leg and bench press, sit-ups, push-ups and standing long jump. Cardiometabolic risk factor…

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.…

60-Hour Sleep Deprivation Affects Submaximal but Not Maximal Physical Performance

The effect of 60-h sleep deprivation (SD) on physical performance and motor control was studied. Twenty cadets were measured for aerobic performance (VO2) before and immediately after the SD period. Maximal strength and EMG of the knee extensor muscles were measured before and after 60 h of SD. Balance, reaction times and motor control were assessed every evening and morning during the SD period. Main effects were observed for heart rate (p = 0.002, partial eta squared: 0.669), VO2 (p = 0.004, partial eta squared: 0.621), ventilation (p = 0.016, partial eta squared: 0.049), and lactate concentration (p = 0.022, partial eta squared: 0.501), whereas RER remained unaltered (p = 0.213, partial …

Awareness and Knowledge of Physical Activity Recommendations in Young Adult Men.

Background: There are only a few studies that have assessed awareness and knowledge regarding aerobic type of physical activity (PA) guidelines recommendations, while no previous studies have examined muscular type of activity recommendation guidelines. The aim was to assess knowledge and awareness and study the associations with demographic variables and physical activity and fitness. Methods: Participants were 776 young (age 26 ± 7 years) men. Awareness and knowledge of PA recommendation guidelines were assessed by prompted questionnaires together with demographic variables and physical activity. In addition, physical fitness was measured. Results: Forty percent of the participants report…

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