Evaluation of Physical Fitness and Body Composition Indices in Iranian Military Officer Trainees

Abstract

Background: Physical activities during military services must not only provide appropriate body fitness and health but also should reduce the physical and psychological problems. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the physical fitness and body composition measures of male military officer trainees and compare them with those of APFT and WHO standards. Materials and Methods: In this research, 150 junior and senior officer trainees (75 in each group) were randomly selected and their body composition as well as cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance were compared. Their mean age was 18.5 ± 0.5 and 23.1 ± 0.31 years; they had mean weight of 65.0 ± 7.05 and 67.4 ± 8.13 kg, and mean height of 174.4 ± 5.38 and 174.1 ± 5.68, respectively. Results: There was a significant difference in the physical fitness indices (cardiovascular and muscular endurance) between junior and senior officer trainees (P < 0.05), and the senior officers had a higher rank. Both groups obtained the highest ranks based on APFT standard. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of BMI and BF% based on WHO and Western Army Standard (P > 0.05) and both were in normal range. Conclusions: Military officer trainees have a good physical fitness and body composition standard which is possibly due to the appropriate physical activities during their training courses.