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Physical fitness and body comparison after a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan.

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Title: Physical fitness and body comparison after a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan.
Authors: Sharp MA (AUTHOR), Knapik JJ (AUTHOR), Walker LA (AUTHOR), Burrell L (AUTHOR), Frykman PN (AUTHOR), Darakjy SS (AUTHOR), Lester ME (AUTHOR), Marin RE (AUTHOR)
Source: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Sep2008, Vol. 40 Issue 9, p1687-1692. 6p.
Abstract: Purpose: To examine change in physical fitness and body composition after a military deployment to Afghanistan. Methods: One hundred and ten infantry soldiers were measured before and after a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Measurements included treadmill peak oxygen uptake (peak VO[2]), lifting strength, medicine ball put, vertical jump, and body composition estimated via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (percent body fat, absolute body fat, fat-free mass, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density). Results: There were significant decreases (P < 0.01) in peak VO[2] (-4.5%), medicine ball put (-4.9%), body mass (-1.9%), and fat-free mass (-3.5%), whereas percent body fat increased from 17.7% to 19.6%. Lifting strength and vertical jump performance did not change predeployment to postdeployment. Conclusions: Nine months deployment to Afghanistan negatively affected aerobic capacity, upper body power, and body composition. The predeployment to postdeployment changes were not large and unlikely to present a major health or fitness concern. If deployments continue to be extended and time between deployments decreased, the effects may be magnified and further study warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Education Research Complete
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Abstract:Purpose: To examine change in physical fitness and body composition after a military deployment to Afghanistan. Methods: One hundred and ten infantry soldiers were measured before and after a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Measurements included treadmill peak oxygen uptake (peak VO[2]), lifting strength, medicine ball put, vertical jump, and body composition estimated via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (percent body fat, absolute body fat, fat-free mass, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density). Results: There were significant decreases (P < 0.01) in peak VO[2] (-4.5%), medicine ball put (-4.9%), body mass (-1.9%), and fat-free mass (-3.5%), whereas percent body fat increased from 17.7% to 19.6%. Lifting strength and vertical jump performance did not change predeployment to postdeployment. Conclusions: Nine months deployment to Afghanistan negatively affected aerobic capacity, upper body power, and body composition. The predeployment to postdeployment changes were not large and unlikely to present a major health or fitness concern. If deployments continue to be extended and time between deployments decreased, the effects may be magnified and further study warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01959131
DOI:10.1249/mss.0b013e318176b978