Physical Fitness and Body Anthropometrics Profiles of the Female Recruits Entering to Voluntary Military Service
Santtila, M., Pihlainen, K., Koski, H., Ojanen, T., & Kyröläinen, H. (2019). Physical Fitness and Body Anthropometrics Profiles of the Female Recruits Entering to Voluntary Military Service. Military Medicine, 184 (1-2), e200-e205. doi:10.1093/milmed/usy145
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Military MedicineDate
2019Copyright
© Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2018.
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 fitness tests. Fitness tests consisted 12-min running test and muscle
fitness tests, which were sit-ups, push-ups and standing long jump.
Results. Increases in mean body mass (4.2%, p≤0.01) and body mass index (3.8%, p<0.01) were
observed between 2005 and 2015. In addition, the proportion of overweight and obese female
recruits increased by 12% (p≤0.001). Mean endurance performance and overall muscle fitness
remained unaltered during the study period, except for a decline in push-ups performance.
However, the proportion of female recruits with poor endurance performance increased from 19.6%
to 27.8% (p≤0.001) between 2005 and 2015. Body mass was inversely associated with 12-minute
running test distance (r=-0.35, p≤0.001) and muscle fitness index (r=-0.25, p≤0.001).
Conclusions. In conclusion, the present study revealed that an increasing proportion of female
recruits are overweight and/or have poor endurance performance, which are known risk factors for
musculoskeletal injuries and premature discharge from military service. Therefore, specialized
training programs should be designed specifically for female recruits with lower levels of fitness
prior to military service.
...


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