86 Probl Hig Epidemiol 2014, 95(1): 86-90

Assessment of physical fitness, physical capacity and nutritional status of soldiers serving in the “GROM” Polish Unit

Ocena sprawności fizycznej, wydolności oraz stanu odżywienia żołnierzy pełniących służbę w polskiej jednostce Wojsk Specjalnych „GROM”

Andrzej Tomczak 1,3/, Jerzy Bertrandt 2,5/, Anna Kłos 2/, Bartosz Bertrandt 4/

1/ Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Staff of the , , 2/ Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland 3/ The Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biała Podlaska, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland 4/ Military Research & Deployment Center For Food Services, Warsaw, Poland 5/ Pope John II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Poland

Wprowadzenie. Stan kondycji fizycznej człowieka w znacznym stopniu Introduction. Human physical condition significantly correlates with the koreluje ze stanem zdrowia, którego integralną częścią jest stan odżywienia. health state, with nutritional status as its integral part. In the military, and W wojsku, a szczególnie jednostkach Wojsk Specjalnych, przywiązuje się especially in Special Forces units, great importance is attached to physical duże znaczenie do sprawności fizycznej żołnierzy. Uważa się, że żołnierze fitness of soldiers. It is believed that soldiers serving in the Special Forces pełniący służbę w jednostkach Wojsk Specjalnych powinni charakteryzować units are expected to manifest the above-average fitness. się ponadprzeciętną sprawnością fizyczną. Aim. To determine physical fitness, physical capacity and nutritional status Cel badań. Określenie stanu sprawności fizycznej, wydolności oraz stanu of soldiers of the “GROM” Special Forces unit. odżywienia żołnierzy jednostki specjalnej „GROM”. Material & methods. A total of 20 male soldiers took part in this Materiał i metody. W badaniach udział wzięło 20 żołnierzy – mężczyzn. examination. The average age of subjects was 30.0±3.4 years, body height Średni wiek badanych wynosił 30,0±3,4 lat, wysokość ciała 179,5±6,56 179.5±6.56 cm and body mass 85.8±10.00 kg. The average length of cm, a masa ciała 85,8±10,00 kg. Średni staż służby wojskowej to 8,6±4,2 military service was 8.6±4.2 years. Physical fitness was assessed on the lat. Sprawność fizyczna została oszacowana na podstawie 6 ćwiczeń basis of 6 exercises including: shuttle run 10×10 m, pull-ups, sit-ups within obejmujących: bieg 10×10 m, podciąganie się na drążku, siady z leżenia 2 minutes, 3000 m run, flick backs, push-ups on bars. Physical capacity w czasie 2 minut, bieg na dystansie 3000 m, wymyki, ugięcia ramion na assessment was done as well. Nutritional status was established based on poręczach. Dokonano również oceny wydolności fizycznej. Stan odżywienia the anthropometrical measurements i.e. measurements of body mass, body określono na podstawie pomiarów antropometrycznych, tj. masy i wysokości height and thickness of 4 skin folds. The research was conducted twice, ciała oraz grubości 4 fałdów skórno-tłuszczowych. Badania przeprowadzono first in the second day of basic training and after 6 months of service. dwukrotnie, w drugim dniu szkolenia podstawowego oraz po 6 miesiącach Based on the obtained results of anthropometric measurements, BMI and służby. W oparciu o uzyskane wyniki pomiarów antropometrycznych the total body fat content were calculated. obliczono wskaźnik względnej masy ciała (BMI) oraz zawartość tłuszczu Results. Based on the results analysis, with respect to the obligatory całkowitego w organizmie. physical fitness tests, a very high level of physical fitness and physical Wyniki. Na podstawie analizy wyników badań, w odniesieniu do capacity of individual soldiers of “GROM” was shown. obowiązujących w wojsku testów sprawności fizycznej, wykazano bardzo Conclusions. Accepting the BMI criteria, overweight was found among wysoki poziom sprawności oraz wydolności fizycznej żołnierzy jednostki 80% of soldiers beginning the service, but after 6 months this percentage specjalnej „GROM”. was 70%. Neither low body mass nor obesity was found in any study. Wnioski. Przyjmując kryteria BMI, nadwagę stwierdzono u około 80% Overweight was muscle-origin overweight, because the total fat content żołnierzy rozpoczynających służbę, natomiast po 6 miesiącach odsetek ten remained within the limits of accepted standards. wynosił 70%. W żadnym badaniu nie wykazano niskiej masy ciała, jak i występowania otyłości. Nadwaga miała charakter nadwagi mięśniowej, gdyż Key words: soldiers of Special Forces Unit, physical fitness, physical capacity, zawartość tłuszczu całkowitego pozostawała w granicach przyjętych norm. nutritional status

Słowa kluczowe: żołnierze jednostki specjalnej, sprawność fizyczna, wydolność, stan odżywienia

© Probl Hig Epidemiol 2014, 95(1): 86-90 Adres do korespondencji / Address for correspondence Andrzej Tomczak www.phie.pl tel. 514 664 620, e-mail: [email protected] Nadesłano: 26.07.2013 Zakwalifikowano do druku: 06.02.2014 Tomczak A, et al. Assessment of physical fitness, physical capacity and nutritional status of soldiers ... 87

Introduction run 10×10 m, pull-ups, sit-ups within 2 minutes, 3000 m run, back flip, arm bending on parallel bars. Physical fitness is a concept closely related with The first four exercises the soldiers did according to health [1-2]. According to the health-related fitness the description in the Directive of Minister of Natio- concept, physical fitness goal is good health state, nal Defense on 12 February 2010 on physical fitness which determines low risk of health problems [3]. tests for professional soldiers (Journal of Laws No 27, This concept assumes that the level of physical acti- item 138 with further amendments) Physical capacity vity and physical efficiency is strongly correlated with was assessed as well. It was determined based on the good health. According to the health-related fitness march test prepared by Kline at al. [9]. Maximum concept, the essential components of physical fitness oxygen intake was calculated using the following are morphological, muscular, motor, cardio-respira- formula: VO max=132.853 - (0.0769 × weight in tory and metabolic [4]. They reflect state of human 2 pounds) - (0.3877 × age in years) + (6.315 × gender health, functional status of organs and willingness to (men 1, women 0)) - (3.2649 × time in minutes and perform complex physical activities. seconds converted to hundredths) - (0.1565 × heart Having an appropriate level of physical fitness is contractions frequency in beats per minute). Tests of one of the key determinants for professional military physical fitness and physical capacity were done in the service. Candidates for armed forces (army, police, fire morning, at least two hours after a meal. Immediately brigade, border guards), pass their first tests of physi- before the fitness test there was a warm-up. cal fitness during the entrance exams. It is generally The examinations of nutritional status were done believed that fitness requirements for armed forces are twice, first time in the second day of the basic training very high, and for candidates for police and fire brigade and after 6 months of service. Nutritional status was the fitness tests are not differentiated by gender. It was determined based on the anthropometric measu- emphasized that the standards of physical fitness were rements such as body mass and body height. These determined by psychophysical requirements necessary parameters were the base to calculate BMI – Body to carry out duties in a given position, irrespective of Mass Index. gender [5]. The obtained results allowed to classify the exa- Physical tests carried out in the army are varied mined soldiers in accordance with the Ferro-Luzzi [6-8]. For this reason some find it difficult to com- classification into the following groups: protein- pare the fitness levels of soldiers from different years energy malnutrition (BMI≤18.4 kg/m2), normal of military service, different military specialties or weight (18.5≥BMI≤24.9 kg/m2), overweight from different countries. However, physical tests (25.0≥BMI≤29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥30.0 usually include the evaluation of racing endurance, kg/m2) [10]. The total fat content was calculated abdominal strength, strength of arms and shoulder based on the measurements of 4 skin folds thickness: girdle muscles as well as speed (agility). Currently in on biceps, triceps, under scapula and over iliac. Based the Polish Army, during annual physical fitness tests on the obtained results, using the Durnin-Womersley of male soldiers, the following exercises are obligato- method, the percentage of body fat content was calcu- ry: 3000 m run or swimming for 12 minutes, sit-ups lated. Lean body mass was calculated from the values within 2 minutes, pull-ups on high bar or push-ups, of body mass and body fat content [11]. The results shuttle run 10×10 m or zigzagged run. Very often were statistically analyzed using the Statistica software in the forces where a higher level of physical fitness [12]. is required, additional tests have been implemented, for example for pilots or Special Forces soldiers. The Results and discussion assessment of physical capacity is obligatorily carried out annually only among the Air Force pilots. The results of physical fitness examination are The aim of the study was to determine physical included in Tab. I. Physical fitness was assessed accor- fitness level, endurance and nutritional status of the ding to the criteria adopted for the Special Forces sol- ”GROM” soldiers. diers described in the Directive of Minister of National Defence on 12 February 2012 on physical fitness tests Material and methods for professional soldiers [7]. All the examined soldiers achieved very good scores for each exercise. All the A total of 20 soldiers underwent the examination. accepted standards for a very good mark for Special The average age of the subjects was 30.0±3.4 years, Forces soldiers have been exceeded – sit-ups by 23.5%, body height 179.5±6.56 cm, and body mass 85.8 pull-ups by 12.4%, 3000 m run by 4.8%, and shuttle ±10.00 kg. run 10×10 m by 0.3%. Physical fitness was assessed in the beginning of The examined soldiers achieved a level of VO2max training on the basis of 6 exercises including: shuttle of 57.18±3.4 ml • kg–1min–1 (51.77-64.01) which 88 Probl Hig Epidemiol 2014, 95(1): 86-90 allows for qualifying them as the group of people Table I. Results of physical fitness tests presenting a very high physical capacity [13]. Physical fitness test Results X±SD (min-max) The BMI analysis revealed that overweight was 3000 m run [min.] 11.57±0.50 found among 80% of the soldiers beginning the service (10.35-12.45) Sit-ups [number] 91.50±5.30 in “GROM” Special Forces unit, while after 6 months (79-100) of service the percentage of soldiers indicating over- Pull-ups [number] 18.27±2.0 weight decreased to 70%. Among the examined sol- (14-24) diers neither underweight not obesity were found. The Shuttle run 10×10 m [s] 28.8±0.69 indicated overweight was a muscle-origin overweight, (27.3-29.6) because the total fat content was correct and was wit- Back flip [number] 10.41±2.70 hin the accepted norms. It was found that a 6-month (3-14) period of service and military training specific for this Bending arms on bars [number] 30.82±4.63 (21-44) unit resulted in a significant reduction in body mass, arm circumference and skin fold thickness over iliac, what resulted in the decrease of both body mass and Table II. Anthropometrical assessment of nutritional status of „GROM” soldiers I examination II examination total body fat content (tab. II). Examined parameter X±SD (min-max) X±SD (min-max) The soldiers from the Special Forces troops are Age [years] 30.0±3.4 30.3±3.15 expected to be thoroughly trained and over-average (24-36) (24-37) physically fit. Body height [cm] 179.5±6.6 180.1±7.11 The examined soldiers met the requirements of (170.4-194.7) (171.4-195.7) high physical fitness. As compared with other soldiers Body mass [kg] 85.8±10.0 84.4±10.05* examined by other authors, they achieved significantly (70.5-104.5) (69.4-101.3) Arm circumference [cm] 35.3±3.1 34.4±2.99* better results when performing the same exercises. In (28-39) (28.5-38.5) the attempt of racing endurance measured by the time Skin fold thickness on biceps [mm] 2.8±0.5 2.6±0.36 in which subjects ran 3000 m, the examined soldiers (1.8-3.6) (2.0-3.2) achieved better results than Lithuanian soldiers, Skin fold thickness on triceps 3.1±0.6 3.0±0.44 professional soldiers from the Training Center for [mm] (2.2-4.2) (2.2-4.0) Military Medical Service, professional soldiers from Skin fold thickness under scapula 14.2±3.2 14.6±3.1 the Military Academy of Land Forces, cadets from the [mm] (9.0-21.4) (9.0-20.4) Academy and soldiers graduating from Skin fold thickness over iliac [mm] 17.1±5.5 15.6±4.4* (9.8-32.4) (7.80-24.6) the Officer School in Wroclaw (by 18.57%, 18.29%, BMI [kg/m2] 26.6±2.1 26.0±2.1 18.43%, 16.82%, 7.19% respectively) [14-17]. (21.3-29.7) (21.5-29.3) In the attempt to assess the strength of upper % of fat content 17.3±2.5 16.9±2.3* limbs and shoulder girdle muscles (pull-ups on bar) (12.9-22.0) (10.8-20.3) the soldiers from the Special Forces unit achieved bet- Lean body mass [kg] 70.9±8.0 69.4±12.1 (58.3-86.2) (45.2-85.7) ter results than students from civilian universities, pro- fessional soldiers from the Military Academy of Land * statistically significant difference at p≥0.05 Forces, soldiers from the Training Center for Military Medical Service as well as soldiers graduating from the In another attempt – back flips – the soldiers of Officer School in Wroclaw (by 372.85%, 207.85%, a special unit also achieved much better results than 172.36%, 142.51% respectively) [14,16]. For com- cadets from the Polish Air Force Academy (10.41 and parison, conscript soldiers from years 1967‑2007 did 3.88 repetitions respectively) [16]. from 4.4 to 5.9 pull-ups on the average [19]. Also physical capacity of the soldiers from the The smallest differences of comparable results special unit was much higher than Polish candidates were found in the attempt of shuttle run 10×10 m for military pilots [20] and students of the Academy (assessment of speed and agility). However, the sol- of Physical Education [13]. diers of the special unit achieved better results than The above comparison of the results confirms that professional soldiers from the Training Center for the soldiers of a special unit present a much higher Military Medical Service, professional soldiers from level of fitness than soldiers serving in other types the Military Academy of Land Forces, graduates from of military units. It is generally believed that a more the Officer School in Wroclaw and cadets from the physically capable person will carry out a complex Polish Air Forces Academy (by 6.86%, 6.55%, 3.32%, task requiring physical fitness better and faster. Such 2.43% respectively) [14-18]. a person is also more resistant to stress, which may be due to greater confidence in their abilities. Another Tomczak A, et al. Assessment of physical fitness, physical capacity and nutritional status of soldiers ... 89 underrated aspect related to physical fitness is its well as an increase of obesity cases correlated with the connection with health. It has been proven in many service duration [25]. In the examinations of 2390 studies that people with a higher fitness level mani- young men beginning military service in different fest better health [21]. The level of physical fitness types of troops in the country, overweight was found also depends on physical activity level. The soldiers among 33.2% of the subjects, while obesity was found of a special unit devote much more time to physical in 10.0% [26]. The results of examinations of the activity than soldiers of other specialties [22]. university and military academies students show an One of the stressors of the battlefield is increase in overweight and obesity occurrence along a physical burden of soldiers, which is related with with years of study [27]. high or very high energy expenditure. During sudden The results of a previous study on the influence intense exercise both appetite and energy intake with of the 8-month service in the International Security food are decreased, in proportion to the energy expen- Assistance Forces ISAF in Afghanistan on the pro- diture increase [23]. From the health point of view tein-energy nutritional status of Polish soldiers did and to maintain a high mental and physical condition not show any negative changes in their nutritional of soldiers, the balanced nutrition, resulting in proper status. The changes included only body mass and body nutritional status, plays a huge role. The nutritional composition, because the soldiers returning from the status disorders can be caused by insufficient or ex- mission were lighter by 1 kilogram, while the fat con- cessive intake of energy, lack of adequate amount of tent decreased and the lean body mass increased. Ana- nutrients, improper ratio of nutrients and improper lyzing the BMI values at the time of the departure and feeding mode. return from the mission, no underweight was found The results of research carried out for many years among any men. The service and stay in Afghanistan in Polish soldiers show a permanent occurrence of caused an increase of the number of soldiers indicating disturbances in nutritional status, which are usually normal weight by 16.3%, while the percentage of sol- a result of overfeeding. It is stated that overweight diers indicating overweight decreased by 19.0%. The and obesity occurrence are found both among persons group of soldiers revealing obesity increased by 2.7% beginning military service and professional soldiers. [28]. In a group of 156 regular soldiers, the crew of ORP ”Pułaski”, body mass of the examined soldiers incre- Conclusions ased with the age and amounted to 80.5±10.4 kg 1. The soldiers of the Special Forces unit present among subjects aged up to 30 years and 83.05±10.4 a very high level of both physical fitness and kg among men aged up to 40 years, Among younger physical capacity. sailors overweight was found in 49.0% of the subjects, 2. The overweight demonstrated in the research while in a group of older sailors, up to 40 years old – in is a muscle-origin overweight, as evidenced by 54.3%. Obesity was found in 13.5% of the examined normal body fat content and it is beneficial from sailors aged up to 30 years and among 10.9% aged up a health point of view. to 40 years [24]. Previous studies on nutritional status 3. High level of physical fitness is a reflection of of the Navy ships crews carried out in the 1980-ies high physical activity level and proper nutritional revealed the occurrence of obesity among sailors, as status.

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