Effects of a 10-d Military Field Exercise on Body Composition, Physical Performance, and Muscle Cells in Men and Women.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a demanding military field exercise on physical performance, body composition, and muscle cellular outcomes in men and women.

Methods: Ten men (20.5 ± 0.

Temporal changes in physical fitness in Norwegian male and female military conscripts between 2006 and 2020.

Reduced physical fitness has been documented in Western children and adults over the past five decades. The same trend has been observed among soldiers, but the number of studies is scarce. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate temporal changes in physical fitness in Norwegian conscripts.

Self-Perceived and Self-Tested Endurance: Associations with Objective Measures.

Use of self-report (questionnaires) is often the most realistic means of screening physical fitness in large participant samples because this method is quicker and cheaper than objective testing. Yet, previous studies have reported equivocal validity to reports of self-perceived fitness. A hybrid self-report variant is the use of self-administered/reported objective measurement.

Relationship between self-reported and objectively measured physical fitness in young men and women.

Self-reported physical fitness has advantages in cost and time over objective methods, but previous studies demonstrate equivocal conclusions regarding validity. Methods for self-reporting are usually based on subjective judgements, while another approach includes performing field tests at home. The Norwegian military relies on the latter method for conscript selection, but its validity is unknown and should be investigated.

Reference data on anthropometrics, aerobic fitness and muscle strength in young Norwegian men and women.

Purpose: Anthropometrics, aerobic fitness and muscle strength are measured in one-third of all 18-year-old Norwegian men and women during yearly selection for compulsory military service. The large sample size and geographical representativity make these data valuable for reference. The main purpose of this study was to present reference data for anthropometrics and physical fitness in young Norwegian men and women.

Estimation of maximal oxygen uptake from the 3,000 m run in adult men and women.

The 3,000 m run is a frequently used field test for evaluating aerobic fitness. The test has previously been validated using smaller sample sizes and with focus restricted to the correlation between run performance and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O). The aim of the present study was to generate equations for converting 3,000 m performance into predicted V̇O , and present corresponding validity statistics.

Sex differences in the physiological response to a demanding military field exercise.

Purpose: To investigate sex differences in the effect of a military field exercise on physical performance, body composition, and blood biomarkers.

Methods: Measurements were done in 23 male and 12 female conscripts before, and 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after a 6-day military field exercise.

Results: During the field exercise, body mass decreased more in men (-6.

Change in Anthropometrics and Physical Fitness in Norwegian Cadets During 3 Years of Military Academy Education.

Introduction: High physical fitness is associated with increased occupational performance, better health, and reduced risk of injuries in military personnel. Thus, the military emphasizes physical training to maintain or develop physical fitness in their soldiers. It is important to monitor the effect of the physical training regime, but such information is lacking for Norwegian military cadets.

Association Between Performance in Muscle Fitness Field Tests and Skeletal Muscle Mass in Soldiers.

Introduction: Muscle strength and muscle endurance are important fitness components related to safe and efficient execution of physically demanding military work. In soldiers, these components are traditionally measured from simple field tests like push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. However, the validity of such muscle fitness field tests is questioned due to reports of low association between test performance and the ability to conduct strength demanding military work (eg, lift and carry tasks).

Reliability and Validity of a Maximal Treadmill Test for Predicting Aerobic Fitness in Norwegian Prospective Soldiers.

Introduction: The Norwegian armed forces reintroduced physical fitness testing of prospective conscript soldiers in 2011. Since then, a customized maximal treadmill test (MILMAX) has been used to screen aerobic fitness in 15-20,000 young Norwegian men and women annually. The aim of the current study was to investigate reliability and validity of the MILMAX test.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Home Guard Soldiers During Military Service and Civilian Life.

Soldiers are encouraged to be physically active, and thereby maintain or increase their fitness level to meet job-related physical demands. However, studies on objectively measured physical activity (PA) in soldiers are scarce, particular for reserve soldiers. Hence, the aim of this study was to present PA data on Norwegian Home Guard (HG) soldiers.

Making whole blood available in austere medical environments: donor performance and safety.

Background: To provide whole blood on the battlefield can be a challenge, but a buddy system protocol is both an elegant and the only currently available means to supply blood to a Special Forces team in far-forward locations. Our aim was to investigate donor-safety associated with such a protocol.

Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial that aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of a 450 cc blood donation on physical performance in fatigued and dehydrated Special Forces soldiers.

Exploring the interplay between the motivational climate and goal orientation in predicting maximal oxygen uptake.

Drawing upon achievement goal theory, this study explored the interplay between the perceived motivational climate, achievement goals and objective measurements of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The results of a study of 123 individuals from three Norwegian military academies revealed that under the condition of a high-performance orientation there is a stronger positive relationship between performance climate and VO2max for individuals reporting a low (rather than high)-mastery orientation. Furthermore, we found that for individuals with a high-mastery orientation there is a stronger positive relationship between mastery climate and VO2max for individuals reporting a low (rather than high)-performance orientation.

Anthropometrics, body composition, and aerobic fitness in Norwegian home guard personnel.

The Norwegian Home Guard (HG) consists of soldiers and officers who primarily live a civilian life but are typically called in for military training a few days per year. Although full-time soldiers and officers are monitored annually on physical fitness, no such assessments are performed on regular HG personnel. Data on physical fitness of similar forces from other nations are also scarce.

Validity and reliability of bioelectrical impedance analysis and skinfold thickness in predicting body fat in military personnel.

Previous studies show that body composition is related to injury risk and physical performance in soldiers. Thus, valid methods for measuring body composition in military personnel are needed. The frequently used body mass index method is not a valid measure of body composition in soldiers, but reliability and validity of alternative field methods are less investigated in military personnel.

Reliability and validity of the soccer specific INTER field test.

The aims of this study were to explain how the Intermittent Endurance Running (INTER) test is executed, describe physiological responses during testing, and evaluate reliability and content validity in this new soccer specific test. The test consists of 20 m shuttle running, interspersed with straight sprints, agility sprints, walking and resting. Shuttle run speed is increased at each level until exhaustion.

Change in anthropometrics and aerobic fitness in Air Force cadets during 3 years of academy studies.

Introduction: Favorable anthropometrical status and aerobic fitness levels are emphasized in Norwegian Air Force personnel. However, it is unknown how these variables develop in Air Force cadets. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to examine how anthropometrics and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2(max)) change among Norwegian Air Force cadets during 3 yr of Academy studies.

Validity and reliability of the 20 meter shuttle run test in military personnel.

is regularly monitored in military personnel, as occupational demands require a certain level of fitness. Distance run (eg, 2 mile) is typically carried out to measure aerobic fitness, but an alternative test could be the 20 meter shuttle run test (20 m SRT). The present study aimed to evaluate validity and reliability of this test in military personnel.

Asthma symptoms in rural living Tanzanian children; prevalence and the relation to aerobic fitness and body fat.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in children from a rural district in North-Tanzania, and their relationship to aerobic fitness and body fat.

Methods: In Manyara region in Tanzania, children (aged 9-10 years) were randomly selected to participate in the present cross-sectional study. Hundred and seventy two participants completed a video questionnaire showing the symptoms and signs of asthma.

Validity of physical activity monitors in adults participating in free-living activities.

Background: For a given subject, time in moderate to very vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) varies substantially among physical activity monitors.

Objective: In the present study, the primary objective, whether time in MVPA recorded with SenseWear Pro(2) Armband (Armband; BodyMedia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA), ActiGraph (7164, LLC, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA), ikcal (Teltronic AG, Biberist, Switzerland) and ActiReg (PreMed AS, Oslo, Norway) is different compared with indirect calorimetry, was determined. The secondary objective, whether these activity monitors estimate energy expenditure differently compared with indirect calorimetry, was also determined.

A comparison of estimated maximal oxygen uptake in 9 and 10 year old schoolchildren in Tanzania and Norway.

Objective: To compare estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in Tanzanian and Norwegian children, by using the same bicycle protocol in both samples.

Methods: Maximal oxygen uptake was estimated from an indirect maximal watt cycle ergometer test in 156 rural boys and girls in Tanzania. Similarly aged urban Norwegian boys and girls (n = 379) who underwent the same test were used for comparison.

Aerobic fitness in young Norwegian men: a comparison between 1980 and 2002.

The purpose of this study was to compare the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in 18-19-year-old Norwegian men from 1980 to 1985 and 2002. In addition, we investigated the relationship between VO2max and education and smoking habits in the sample from 2002. From 1980 to 1985, VO2max was predicted using the Astrand-Rhyming bicycle test for 183 610 eighteen-year-old Norwegian men (91% of the male Norwegian population in this age group).