1
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Publish Ahead of Print DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000716
Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers TITLE PAGE
TITLE: INFLUENCE OF MILITARY TRAINING AND STANDARDIZED NUTRITION IN MILITARY UNIT ON SOLDIERS’ NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
OF SOLDIERS
TE
Tomczak A.¹ ³, Bertrandt J.², Kłos A.², Kłos K.4
D
BRIEF RUNNING HEAD: NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
¹General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Warsaw, Poland
EP
²Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Hygiene and Physiology, Warsaw, Poland 3
Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biala Podlaska, Poland
4
Military Institute of Medicine, Department of Infection Diseases and Allergology
C C
Warsaw, Poland
Corresponding author: Lt. Col. Andrzej TOMCZAK Ph.D. Mobile phone number: +48 662 057 852
A
E- mail: [email protected]
Source of support: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
2 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
ABSTRACT 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,
D
soldiers had 200 hours of physical training as well as basic military training (shooting, drill, anti-chemical training, topography, general tactics and military equipment
TE
operation). The training lasted 8 hours every day.
To assess fitness level four trials were done: long jump, pull-ups, sit-ups and 1000 meters run. Evaluation of food was based on the analysis of full board menus
EP
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 four selected skin folds. Body height and body mass were the basis for the
C C
Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation.
Soldiers serving in the mechanized infantry unit, after completing the training
got better results only in 1000 meters run (from 250.3 to 233.61 seconds). During the
A
research an average energy value of a daily food ration planned for consumption was 4504 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%. KEY WORDS: soldiers, physical efficiency, military training, nutrition
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
3 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
TEXT INTRODUCTION Universal conscription was suspended in Poland in 1999. However, this does not result in abandoning military trainings. They are carried out as a part of different types of courses lasting from few to several months (eg. in Officers’ School or in National
D
Reserve Forces). Soldiers are subjects to unified training and are fed collectively in accordance with applicable in Polish Army alimentation standards. As a part of the
TE
training, obligatory physical education classes that take from 2 to 4 hours per week, are held. These classes due to their specificity are divided into directly and indirectly preparing soldiers for combat operations. The aim of these classes is psychophysical
EP
preparation of soldiers to carry out military tasks in the country and abroad (20). Because of this, it is important that time spent on activities should be utilized in the best way. Effects of physical education are checked by physical fitness tests. Tests developed only for army purposes and other tests commonly used in the sciences of
C C
physical culture (eg. International Physical Fitness Test, Eurofit) are applied. Available literature on assessment of soldiers physical fitness presents quite
diverse impact of carried out physical education and other military trainings on physical
A
fitness level of soldiers (1,4,5,7,16,18,23,28,31). Based on analysis of tests results it was revealed that expected progress in soldiers physical fitness was not always obtained. Such situation tends towards searching for optimal methodical and organizational solutions to carry out physical education classes. Another equally important health-promoting aspect of military service is to optimize the feeding system during long-running military trainings (several months’ training program) or continuous feeding during military service (for example
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
4 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
alimentation of aircrews). In many cases overweight or even obesity among soldiers were found, what might testify to too low physical activity level and improper nutrition system, inappropriate to physical burden (13,14). Overweight and obesity are serious public health problem. Epidemiological studies indicate steady increase of percentage of people with excessive weight in most countries of the contemporary world. According
D
to the World Health Organization quickly increasing rates of overweight and obesity
adverse effect on military tasks fulfillment.
TE
incidences, cause that both phenomena emerge to an epidemic level (22). It may have
The purpose of the research was to determine impact of 9-month military training and uniform nutrition on level of physical fitness and nutritional status of
METHODS
EP
soldiers serving in the mechanized infantry unit.
Experimental Approach to the Problem: In the period between examinations, soldiers carried out military training program and physical education classes. The
C C
number of physical education hours and detailed topics are shown in Table 1. In addition, on weekdays morning exercises were performed as 30-minutes run/walk. Subjects: Total of 60 soldiers serving in the mechanized infantry unit took part in
A
the study. Age of subjects ranged from 18 to 24 years old. Detailed anthropometric data are contained in Table 4. 58 examined soldiers were secondary educated and 2 vocational secondary educated. They came from small towns and villages. The research was conducted in the first and the ninth month of military service. The assents were obtained after soldiers were informed they could decide whether to be in the study or not, the objective of study, possible risks and benefits. The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki. To carry out the research
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
5 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
it was necessary to get approval from the ethics commission of the Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Examined soldiers agreed in writing to undergo the research. Procedures: To assess fitness level four trials were carried out: long jump (strength of leg
D
muscles), pull-ups (strength of arms and shoulder girdle muscles), sit-ups (strength of abdominal muscles) and 1000 meter run (speed endurance). Trials were carried out in
TE
accordance with the above order and according to description of these exercises in the International Physical Fitness Test (IPFT) (19).
Long jump – The test carried out in a hall, on a non-slippery ground, two hard
EP
mattresses laid lengthways one after the other. The starting line is set ca. one meter in front of the mattresses, vertically to their longer edge. Soldier doing the exercise stands in a small astride with feet paralelly on the beam or before the starting line, bends the trunk, bends the legs (semi-sit) with concurrent spar of both hands low to the back,
C C
followed by hands spar to the front and at the same time takes off vigorously and jumps as far as possible. The jump length us measured from the setline to the nearest footstep left by the jumper`s heel. If the soldier falls back after jump, he needs to repeat the
A
exercise. The longer jump out of the two performed constitutes the test result, which is put down with accuracy up to 1 cm. Sit ups – Soldier doing the exercise lays down on the back on a mattress or on
mat with legs bent in knee-joints at an angle of 90 degrees and feet set apart ca. 30 cm. Clasped hands are placed on the neck. A partner knees next to the laying person`s feet and presses them down so that the whole soles would touch the ground. When both of them are ready to start the test, the soldier performing the exercise raises the trunk at an
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
6 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
agreed signal and sits touching the knees with the elbows and them immediately (without any break) returns to laying on his back, followed by another sit. This activity is repeated at a maximum speed during 30 seconds. The back must each time return to the initial position in order to allow the clasped hands and the head to have contact with the ground. Using elbows to push oneself away from the mattress is not allowed.
D
Soldier performing the exercise does test without stopping. The sit-ups done during 30 seconds are counted.
TE
Long run 1000 m – Soldiers performing the exercise stands in a position with one leg forward in front of the starting line (a so-called standing start) and, at a signal, he runs the set distance in shortest possible time. Soldiers performing the exercise
EP
perform one test. The running time is recorded with accuracy to 1 s.
Pull ups – A horizontal bar is mounted at an accessible jump height, a mattress for landing (jumping down). Soldier performing the exercise gets hold of the bar at shoulders` breadth, with a handgrip with fingers downward and the bottom upwards and
C C
does a hang. At a signal he bends hands in elbow-joints and pulls up straightened body high enough for the chin to be above the bar, and afterwards he returns to the hang. This activity is repeated without ceasing, as many times as possible. The test is performed
A
one time. It is finished when soldier doing the exercise remains hanging for longer than 2 seconds or, despite two-time effort, is unable to pull the chin above the bar. The test is also finished if person doing the exercise helps himself with waiving legs during hands` bending. The test result consists of doing of the number of pull-ups in which person doing the exercise managed to pull the chin above the bar.
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
7 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
Tests were carried out in the morning, at least 2 hours after meal. A 10-minute warm-up as well as presentation how to perform exercises correctly were carried out directly before examination. Evaluation of alimentation was based on an analysis of daily menus using the "Tables of composition and nutritional value of food products" (8,17). Energy value was
D
assessed and principal nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates including fiber content were calculated. Protein content in food rations taken for analytical tests were
TE
determined by the Kjeldahl method, fat content by the Grossfeld method, carbohydrates content and energy value of the ration were calculated according to the obligatory standards (2,21). Assessment of nutritional status was based on anthropometric
EP
measurements such as body height, body mass and thickness of four selected skin folds. Body height and body mass were the basis for the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. Obtained results allowed qualifying examined soldiers, in accordance with the FerroLuzzi classification (7) to the following groups: protein-energy malnutrition (BMI≤18.4
C C
kg/m2), standard weight (18.5%≥BMI≤24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0≥BMI≤29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI≥30.0 kg/m2). Based on the skin-fold thickness measured by the Durnin-Womersley method on biceps, triceps, under scapula and over iliac, the body
A
fat content was calculated (3).
Statistical Analyses: To convert results of physical fitness tests the “T scale” was
used, what enabled comparison of results obtained in different units of measure. To determine statistically significant differences the “t-Student” test for dependent data was applied. As significant a difference of p
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Publish Ahead of Print DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000716
Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers TITLE PAGE
TITLE: INFLUENCE OF MILITARY TRAINING AND STANDARDIZED NUTRITION IN MILITARY UNIT ON SOLDIERS’ NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
OF SOLDIERS
TE
Tomczak A.¹ ³, Bertrandt J.², Kłos A.², Kłos K.4
D
BRIEF RUNNING HEAD: NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
¹General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Warsaw, Poland
EP
²Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Hygiene and Physiology, Warsaw, Poland 3
Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biala Podlaska, Poland
4
Military Institute of Medicine, Department of Infection Diseases and Allergology
C C
Warsaw, Poland
Corresponding author: Lt. Col. Andrzej TOMCZAK Ph.D. Mobile phone number: +48 662 057 852
A
E- mail: [email protected]
Source of support: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
2 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
ABSTRACT 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,
D
soldiers had 200 hours of physical training as well as basic military training (shooting, drill, anti-chemical training, topography, general tactics and military equipment
TE
operation). The training lasted 8 hours every day.
To assess fitness level four trials were done: long jump, pull-ups, sit-ups and 1000 meters run. Evaluation of food was based on the analysis of full board menus
EP
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 four selected skin folds. Body height and body mass were the basis for the
C C
Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation.
Soldiers serving in the mechanized infantry unit, after completing the training
got better results only in 1000 meters run (from 250.3 to 233.61 seconds). During the
A
research an average energy value of a daily food ration planned for consumption was 4504 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%. KEY WORDS: soldiers, physical efficiency, military training, nutrition
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
3 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
TEXT INTRODUCTION Universal conscription was suspended in Poland in 1999. However, this does not result in abandoning military trainings. They are carried out as a part of different types of courses lasting from few to several months (eg. in Officers’ School or in National
D
Reserve Forces). Soldiers are subjects to unified training and are fed collectively in accordance with applicable in Polish Army alimentation standards. As a part of the
TE
training, obligatory physical education classes that take from 2 to 4 hours per week, are held. These classes due to their specificity are divided into directly and indirectly preparing soldiers for combat operations. The aim of these classes is psychophysical
EP
preparation of soldiers to carry out military tasks in the country and abroad (20). Because of this, it is important that time spent on activities should be utilized in the best way. Effects of physical education are checked by physical fitness tests. Tests developed only for army purposes and other tests commonly used in the sciences of
C C
physical culture (eg. International Physical Fitness Test, Eurofit) are applied. Available literature on assessment of soldiers physical fitness presents quite
diverse impact of carried out physical education and other military trainings on physical
A
fitness level of soldiers (1,4,5,7,16,18,23,28,31). Based on analysis of tests results it was revealed that expected progress in soldiers physical fitness was not always obtained. Such situation tends towards searching for optimal methodical and organizational solutions to carry out physical education classes. Another equally important health-promoting aspect of military service is to optimize the feeding system during long-running military trainings (several months’ training program) or continuous feeding during military service (for example
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
4 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
alimentation of aircrews). In many cases overweight or even obesity among soldiers were found, what might testify to too low physical activity level and improper nutrition system, inappropriate to physical burden (13,14). Overweight and obesity are serious public health problem. Epidemiological studies indicate steady increase of percentage of people with excessive weight in most countries of the contemporary world. According
D
to the World Health Organization quickly increasing rates of overweight and obesity
adverse effect on military tasks fulfillment.
TE
incidences, cause that both phenomena emerge to an epidemic level (22). It may have
The purpose of the research was to determine impact of 9-month military training and uniform nutrition on level of physical fitness and nutritional status of
METHODS
EP
soldiers serving in the mechanized infantry unit.
Experimental Approach to the Problem: In the period between examinations, soldiers carried out military training program and physical education classes. The
C C
number of physical education hours and detailed topics are shown in Table 1. In addition, on weekdays morning exercises were performed as 30-minutes run/walk. Subjects: Total of 60 soldiers serving in the mechanized infantry unit took part in
A
the study. Age of subjects ranged from 18 to 24 years old. Detailed anthropometric data are contained in Table 4. 58 examined soldiers were secondary educated and 2 vocational secondary educated. They came from small towns and villages. The research was conducted in the first and the ninth month of military service. The assents were obtained after soldiers were informed they could decide whether to be in the study or not, the objective of study, possible risks and benefits. The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki. To carry out the research
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
5 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
it was necessary to get approval from the ethics commission of the Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Examined soldiers agreed in writing to undergo the research. Procedures: To assess fitness level four trials were carried out: long jump (strength of leg
D
muscles), pull-ups (strength of arms and shoulder girdle muscles), sit-ups (strength of abdominal muscles) and 1000 meter run (speed endurance). Trials were carried out in
TE
accordance with the above order and according to description of these exercises in the International Physical Fitness Test (IPFT) (19).
Long jump – The test carried out in a hall, on a non-slippery ground, two hard
EP
mattresses laid lengthways one after the other. The starting line is set ca. one meter in front of the mattresses, vertically to their longer edge. Soldier doing the exercise stands in a small astride with feet paralelly on the beam or before the starting line, bends the trunk, bends the legs (semi-sit) with concurrent spar of both hands low to the back,
C C
followed by hands spar to the front and at the same time takes off vigorously and jumps as far as possible. The jump length us measured from the setline to the nearest footstep left by the jumper`s heel. If the soldier falls back after jump, he needs to repeat the
A
exercise. The longer jump out of the two performed constitutes the test result, which is put down with accuracy up to 1 cm. Sit ups – Soldier doing the exercise lays down on the back on a mattress or on
mat with legs bent in knee-joints at an angle of 90 degrees and feet set apart ca. 30 cm. Clasped hands are placed on the neck. A partner knees next to the laying person`s feet and presses them down so that the whole soles would touch the ground. When both of them are ready to start the test, the soldier performing the exercise raises the trunk at an
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
6 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
agreed signal and sits touching the knees with the elbows and them immediately (without any break) returns to laying on his back, followed by another sit. This activity is repeated at a maximum speed during 30 seconds. The back must each time return to the initial position in order to allow the clasped hands and the head to have contact with the ground. Using elbows to push oneself away from the mattress is not allowed.
D
Soldier performing the exercise does test without stopping. The sit-ups done during 30 seconds are counted.
TE
Long run 1000 m – Soldiers performing the exercise stands in a position with one leg forward in front of the starting line (a so-called standing start) and, at a signal, he runs the set distance in shortest possible time. Soldiers performing the exercise
EP
perform one test. The running time is recorded with accuracy to 1 s.
Pull ups – A horizontal bar is mounted at an accessible jump height, a mattress for landing (jumping down). Soldier performing the exercise gets hold of the bar at shoulders` breadth, with a handgrip with fingers downward and the bottom upwards and
C C
does a hang. At a signal he bends hands in elbow-joints and pulls up straightened body high enough for the chin to be above the bar, and afterwards he returns to the hang. This activity is repeated without ceasing, as many times as possible. The test is performed
A
one time. It is finished when soldier doing the exercise remains hanging for longer than 2 seconds or, despite two-time effort, is unable to pull the chin above the bar. The test is also finished if person doing the exercise helps himself with waiving legs during hands` bending. The test result consists of doing of the number of pull-ups in which person doing the exercise managed to pull the chin above the bar.
Copyright Ó Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
7 Nutritional status and physical fitness of soldiers
Tests were carried out in the morning, at least 2 hours after meal. A 10-minute warm-up as well as presentation how to perform exercises correctly were carried out directly before examination. Evaluation of alimentation was based on an analysis of daily menus using the "Tables of composition and nutritional value of food products" (8,17). Energy value was
D
assessed and principal nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates including fiber content were calculated. Protein content in food rations taken for analytical tests were
TE
determined by the Kjeldahl method, fat content by the Grossfeld method, carbohydrates content and energy value of the ration were calculated according to the obligatory standards (2,21). Assessment of nutritional status was based on anthropometric
EP
measurements such as body height, body mass and thickness of four selected skin folds. Body height and body mass were the basis for the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. Obtained results allowed qualifying examined soldiers, in accordance with the FerroLuzzi classification (7) to the following groups: protein-energy malnutrition (BMI≤18.4
C C
kg/m2), standard weight (18.5%≥BMI≤24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0≥BMI≤29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI≥30.0 kg/m2). Based on the skin-fold thickness measured by the Durnin-Womersley method on biceps, triceps, under scapula and over iliac, the body
A
fat content was calculated (3).
Statistical Analyses: To convert results of physical fitness tests the “T scale” was
used, what enabled comparison of results obtained in different units of measure. To determine statistically significant differences the “t-Student” test for dependent data was applied. As significant a difference of p
