Article Text
Abstract
It is a known fact, that health and physical fitness are key factors for soldiers and for society as a whole. Large proportion of young people entering military service are not enough trained or trained for a specific sport, as a result comprehensive physical fitness has been neglected. From another perspective it is the first experience of regular exercise. There are few previously published studies about Latvian army recruits, which show the impact of physical loud on the new soldiers’ physical abilities. 12 weeks Basic Military course (BMC) gave great impact on overall and military physical fitness.
The aim of this research is to estimate the influence of the first progressive, organised and structured workouts on Latvian Armed force’s recruits.
This was a longitudinal prospective study, which includes 31 Latvian army male recruits, who where on their BMC. The average age of recruits was 20.5 years, average weight 79 kg and height 1,83 m. All representatives who had demonstrated medical examinations, had gone through psychological testing and had passed the physical requirements to join Latvian army.
The base course was held during the period from March 2016 to June 2016, in total 12 weeks long, with organised physical workouts for 2 hours daily and military skills in theory and practice.
Recruits’ physical abilities were tested 3 times. The first time on the first day after arriving, after 6 weeks of training and at the end of the 12 week course. Following physical ability was examined: endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, balance and agility. Besides functional load test was being examined to all recruits.
After BML - the average weight and BMI did not change significantly, but the body fat pleated percentage decreased and increased the upper arm (3.3%) and femoral ) 2,4% circumference and decreased waist and hips circumference.
Physical performance indicators grew for all physical abilities. Increased endurance more than 13.5%, strength tests up to 36.3%. Training had improved physical abilities, namely, the balance (73.0%), hand speed (15.8%) and flexibility (15.4%). Relatively small improvements were observed in indicators of agility, speed and explosive force.
After 6 weeks of BML the results of functional load tests showed physical rejuvenescence had extended, but after 12 weeks – the adaptation to physical load had occurred and effective rejuvenescence of organism was observed.
Regular, structured and organised training improves physical fitness of participants recruited to Latvian army, which refers to the fact that in civilian life young people have little contact with the noteworthy overall physical readiness, workload to keep your body physically fit.
Moreover, according to the author, the new soldiers’ work efficiency depends on physical activity before the Base curse, as well as motivation and training organisation within the course.
During 12 week BML physical skills and fitness was upgraded to significant results. Mainly recruits had extended physical rejuvenescence capability showing organism unpreparedness to regular physical trainings, but after regular physical exercises their physical skills increased.
- Fitness
- Recruits
- Sports medicine.