PHYSICAL FITNESS, PHASE ANGLE AND BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION OF YOUNG MALE ARMY CADETS

Abstract

A military career demands a routine of physical training to induce adequate levels of physical fitness (PF) and body composition. Body fat distribution (i.e. android and gynoid fat) are related to increase metabolic risk also observed in military populations. Phase angle (PhA) is used to evaluate nutritional status and is an indicator of cellular health. However, it is unclear if PhA is influenced by changes in PF induced by physical training. PURPOSE: a) to verify the association between PF and PhA, android and gynoid fat, and b) if PF changes have an association with changes in PhA, android and gynoid fat in the army cadets. METHODS: 385 young male army cadets (18.7±0.7yrs) were evaluated before (M1) and after (M2) 6-mo of military training. PhA (°) was calculated by bioelectric impedance parameters. Dual-energy absorptiometry evaluated android fat in kg (AF), in % (A%F), gynoid fat in kg (GF) and % (G%F). PF was accessed with specific military test, in which participant must run 3000m distance as fast as he can. The PF test was measured in the day after the body composition measures, both in M1 and M2. Bivariate correlation was used to verify the association between PF and PhA, AF, A%F, GF, and G%F, in M1 and M2. Wilcoxon test was used to compare variables between M1 and M2. Linear regression analysis was used to verify if changes (∆) on independent variables influenced the PF changes among participants. RESULTS: In M1, PF was associated (p<0.001) with PhA (r=-0.16), AF (r=0.39), A%F (r=0.41), GF (r=0.45), and G%F (r=0.46). In M2, PF was associated (p<0.001) with AF (r=0.36), A%F (r=0.37), GF (r=0.41), and G%F (r=0.40), but not with PhA (r=-0.10, p=0.057). The PhA (∆=0.3°) and G%F (∆=0.2%) increased (p<0.001), and A%F (∆=-0.3%) decreased (p<0.05) compared to M1. In addition, male army cadets improved (p<0.001) the PF test (∆=-1.1min) compare to M1. The PF improvement was associated (p<0.001) with ∆A%F (r=0.38), ∆AF (r=0.36), ∆G%F (r=0.42), and ∆GF (r=0.40), but not with ∆PhA (r=-0.06, p=0.209). Linear regression of the ∆PF had an effect (p<0.001) of ∆A%F (β=0.39), ∆AF (β=0.38), ∆GF (β=0.41), and ∆G%F (β=0.42), but not of ∆PhA (β=-0.07, p=0.179). CONCLUSION: PF was associated with PhA, AF and GF. The improvement on PF seems to be more influenced by ∆AF and ∆GF, but not by ∆PhA in young male army cadets. Supported by CAPES (No.23001.000422/98-30)