The association between obesity related health risk and fitness test results in the British Army personnel (original) (raw)
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Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2017
Objectives: Army body composition standards are based upon validated criteria; however, certain fieldexpedient methodologies (e.g., weight-for-height, body mass index [BMI]) may disqualify individuals from service who may otherwise excel on physical performance and military-relevant tasks. The purpose was to assess soldier physical performance and military-specific task/fitness performance stratified by BMI. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Methods: Male (n = 275) and female (n = 46) soldiers performed a wide-array of physical fitness tests and military-specific tasks, including the Army physical fitness test (APFT). Within-sex performance data were analyzed by BMI tertile stratification or by Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) weight-for-height (calculated BMI) screening standards using ANOVA/Tukey post-hoc or independent t-tests, respectively. Results: BMI stratification (higher vs. lower BMI) was associated with significant improvements in muscular strength and power, but also with decrements in speed/agility in male and female soldiers. Within the military specific tasks, a higher BMI was associated with an increased APFT 2-Mile Run time; however, performance on a 1600-m Loaded March or a Warrior Task and Battle Drill obstacle course was not related to BMI in either sex. Male and Female soldiers who did not meet ABCP screening standards demonstrated a slower 2-Mile Run time; however, not meeting the ABCP BMI standard only affected a minimal number (∼6%) of soldiers' ability to pass the APFT. Conclusions: Military body composition standards require a careful balance between physical performance, health, and military readiness. Allowances should be considered where tradeoffs exist between body composition classifications and performance on physical tasks with high military relevance. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Sports Medicine Australia.
Biology
Increasing obesity rates among USA military members vary by age, pay grade, and measurement methods and threaten force fitness and readiness. Limited research has directly measured obesity among officers; those enrolled in graduate school at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) face additional demands and increased obesity risk. This study compared obesity measurements and performance on the Army Physical Fitness test and self-rated health for a sample of mostly CGSC officers. Participants (n = 136, 75.7% male, 79.6% officers) completed body composition measures; BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) estimated obesity rates and were compared for discordance. Army Physical Fitness Test pass/fail rates and self-reported perceived health were compared with each obesity classification. Obesity prevalence was 18.5–39.7%, differing by sex and measure. BMI, WC, and WHtR underestimated obesity compared to BF% at least 21% of the t...
Metabolically healthy obesity and physical fitness in military males in the CHIEF study
Scientific Reports, 2021
The metabolically healthy obese (MHO) characterized by the absence of metabolic syndrome have shown superior cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and similar muscular strength as compared with the metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). However, this finding might be biased by the baseline sedentary behavior in the general population. This study utilized 3669 physically active military males aged 18-50 years in Taiwan. Obesity and metabolically unhealthy were respectively defined as body mass index ≥ 27.5 kg/m 2 and presence of at least two major components of the metabolic syndrome, according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria for Asian male adults. Four groups were accordingly classified as the metabolically healthy lean (MHL, n = 2510), metabolically unhealthy lean (MUL, n = 331), MHO (n = 181) and MUO (n = 647). CRF was evaluated by time for a 3-km run, and muscular strengths were separately assessed by numbers of push-up and sit-up within 2 min. Analysis of covariance was utilized to compare the difference in each exercise performance between groups adjusting for age, service specialty, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity. The metabolic syndrome prevalence in MUL and MUO was 49.8% and 47.6%, respectively. The performance of CRF did not differ between MHO and MUO (892.3 ± 5.4 s and 892.6 ± 3.0 s, p = 0.97) which were both inferior to MUL and MHL (875.2 ± 4.0 s and 848.6 ± 1.3 s, all p values < 0.05). The performance of muscular strengths evaluated by 2-min push-ups did not differ between MUL and MUO (45.3 ± 0.6 and 45.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.78) which were both less than MHO and MHL (48.4 ± 0.8 and 50.6 ± 0.2, all p values < 0.05). However, the performance of 2-min sit-ups were only superior in MHL (48.1 ± 0.1) as compared with MUL, MHO and MUO (45.9 ± 0.4, 46.7 ± 0.5 and 46.1 ± 0.3, respectively, all p values < 0.05). Our findings suggested that in a physically active male cohort, the MHO might have greater muscle strengths, but have similar CRF level compared with the MUO. Abbreviations CHIEF The Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Hospitalization Events in Armed Forces study CRF Cardiorespiratory fitness MHL Metabolically healthy lean MHO Metabolically healthy obesity MUL Metabolically unhealthy lean MUO Metabolically unhealthy obesity
Military Medicine, 2008
Objective: To evaluate obesity classifications from body fat percentage (BF%), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Methods: 451 overweight/obese active duty military personnel completed all three assessments. Results: Most were obese (men=81%; women=98%) using National Institutes of Health (NIH) BF% standards (men>25%; women>30%). Using the higher World Health Organization (WHO) BF>35% standard, 86% of women were obese. BMI (55.5% and 51.4%) and WC (21.4% and 31.9%) obesity rates were substantially lower for men and women, respectively; p<0.05. BMI/WC were accurate discriminators for BF%-obesity (Θ for all comparisons>0.75, p<0.001). Optimal cut-points were lower than NIH/WHO standards; WC=100cm and BMI=29 maximized sensitivity and specificity for men, and WC=79cm and BMI=25.5 (NIH) or WC=83cm and BMI=26 (WHO) maximized sensitivity and specificity for women. Conclusion: Both WC and BMI measures had high rates of false negatives compared to BF%. However, at a population-level, WC/BMI are useful obesity measures, demonstrating fair-to-high discriminatory power.
Metabolically Healthy Obesity and Physical Fitness in Military Males in the CHIEF Study
2020
The metabolically healthy obese (MHO) characterized by the absence of abdominal obesity have been reported to have superior cardiorespiratory tness (CRF) than the metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). However, this nding might be biased by the baseline sedentary behavior in the general population. This study utilized 3,669 physically active military males aged 18-50 years in Taiwan. Obesity and metabolically unhealthy were respectively de ned as body mass index ≥27.5 kg/m 2 and waist circumference ≥90 cm, speci cally for Asian male adults. Four groups were accordingly classi ed as the metabolically healthy lean (MHL, n=2,607), metabolically unhealthy lean (MUL, n=234), MHO (n=208) and MUO (n=620). CRF was evaluated by time for a 3-kilometer run, and muscular strengths were separately assessed by numbers of push-up and sit-up within 2 minutes. Analysis of covariance was utilized to compare the difference in each exercise performance between groups adjusting for age, service specialty, smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activity. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in MUO, MHO, MUL and MHL was 45.3% 13.0%, 29.1% and 3.7%, respectively. The performance of CRF did not differ between MHO and MUO (895.3±5.1 sec and 891.5±3.1 sec, p=0.68) which were both inferior to MUL and MHL (877.5±4.8 sec and 849.5±1.4 sec, all p-values <0.05). The performance of muscular strengths evaluated by 2-minute push-ups did not differ between MUL and MUO (44.8±0.2 and 45.2±0.5, p=0.40) which were both less than MHO and MHL (48.1±0.8 and 50.5±0.2, all pvalues <0.05). However, the performance of 2-minute sit-ups were only superior in MHL (48.0±0.2) as compared with MUL, MHO and MUO (46.0±0.5, 46.7±0.5 and 46.2±0.3, respectively, all p-values <0.05). Our ndings suggested that in a physically active male cohort, the MHO might have greater muscle strengths, but have similar CRF level compared with the MUO.
Iranian Journal of Public Health
Background: The body composition and physical fitness of members of the army is always a relevant topic for research, since the level of defense and security of people and material goods in a specific territory in many ways depends on the level of ability of the army. However, members of the armed forces are a heterogeneous group, typified by different abilities, characteristics, but also everyday needs, and the trend of changing body composition and reducing physical fitness is a current issue that has not bypassed this population either. Therefore, this study aimed to determine possible differences in body composition indicators that could appear between members of the Army of Montenegro of different military specialties. Methods: The sample of respondents included 240 Montenegrin male soldiers (32.5yr±9.5), who were measured at the sports dispensaries within the barracks of Montenegrin Army around the country in the spring of 2020, was classified into eight numerically equal subs...
Body Fat Percentage and Body Mass Index as Predictors of Cadets’ Physical Performance
Abstract: The purpose of this study was twofold: Firstly, to examine the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat (BF %) measurements in order to monitor the cadets in the Hellenic Army Academy and secondly, to evaluate the aspects that enhance the performance of the cadets in specific physical activities, in order to help them to be more efficient in their duties as officers. More specifically, this study sets out to examine the advantage or disadvantage that cadets, with specific body composition have towards their peers and whether these characteristics can predict their performance in specific tests. Anthropometric measurements (height, body mass, BMI and BF %) and performance in specific physical tests were assessed for 868 male cadets with an average age of 19.9±1.6 years from all 4 undergraduate classes of the Academy. The results were extracted through odds ratios analysis for the different categories. It was shown that the cadets who belonged to groups with lower BMI and BF % had an advantage in their performance during the tests. BF % was presented as a more accurate predictor than BMI and the odds ratios for the tests revealed interesting associations, between the BF % of the cadets and their probability to accomplish specific tasks, which may help to enhance performance. In conclusion, it was recommended to use more than one anthropometric component for classification of the cadets and not to depend solely on BMI values, in order to have a more holistic picture of their physical condition and physical activity levels.
The Relationship Between Soldier Height, Weight and Army Combat Fitness Scores
2021
ABSTRACTThe United States Army recently implemented the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) which was designed to more accurately measure functional-combat fitness constructs. The ACFT replaced the former Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The three advent APFT consisted of: two-minute push-ups (PU), two-minute sit-ups (SU), and a timed two-mile run (RUN). The ACFT consists of six events; 3 Rep Max Deadlift (MDL), Standing Power Throw (SPT), Hand Release Push-up (HRP), Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC), Hanging Leg Tuck (LTK), and a timed two-mile run (2MR). This study investigated the relationship between Soldier height (1.79±0.07 m) and weight (body mass 86.8±14.2 kg, BMI 27.1±3.9) on ACFT scores (442.3±54.4) of 655 male U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers in a Field Artillery Brigade. For the purpose of the investigation body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the metric representing the Soldier’s height and weight. The mean and standard deviation (sd) were calculated for the ACFT event and tota...
Comparison of Perceived and Measured Body Composition in a Military Population: An Exploratory Study
Military Medicine, 2021
Introduction: Weight status perception (WSP) is the subjective assessment of one's own body weight. It is not correlated with the body mass index (BMI). People practicing sports, including overweight people, tend to perceive themselves as normal weight. The military is in a paradoxical position between the need to gain muscle mass for professional purposes while respecting BMI standards. Using body composition might be more advantageous than using BMI as part of an individual approach in making a decision about fitness to serve. However, measuring body composition is not easy in current practice, and a bridge between WSP and body composition would make it possible to develop a simple assessment tool. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study. We collected sociodemographic data, anthropometric data, and WSP. Results: Thirty-eight subjects were included. Among them, 71.1% were male. Mean age was 31.2 years (SD 8.9). The BMI was greater than 25 for 15 (39.5%) subjects. Twenty-four (63.2%) defined themselves as being overweight. Thirteen were overweight according to fat percentage (Fat%). A significant association (P = .008) was found between WSP and Fat%. Conclusion: We were able to show a statistically significant association between WSP and Fat%. Such an association may be of great interest because the measurement of the Fat%, whatever the method used, is not easy in current practice. A replication of the study in the general population would be of great interest, especially since Fat% is closely associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and many cancers.
Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and Smoking in Relation to Military Readiness
Military Medicine, 2014
The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of excess weight, regular physical activity, and smoking on the military readiness of the Belgian Armed Forces in a cross-sectional online survey. A multinomial logistic regression was used to study the influence of modifiable risk factors on participation in the physical fitness test. In our study population (n = 4,959), subjects with a body mass index higher than 25 kg/m 2 , smokers, and subjects with a lower level of vigorous physical activity were significantly more likely to have failed the physical fitness test. In the Belgian Armed Forces, serious efforts should be made to encourage vigorous physical activity, smoking cessation, and weight loss to preserve our military readiness. Instead of relying on civilian public health interventions, Belgian Defense should develop its own specific approaches to prevent weight gain, improve physical fitness, and influence smoking attitude.