Changes in aerobic and anaerobic fitness in the Polish army paratroopers during their military service.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to estimate changes in the aerobic- and anaerobic-dependent performance tasks in paratroopers during 18 mo of their military service.

METHODS

There were 39 Polish Army recruits, enlisted to the paratroops, who volunteered for this study. The subjects were examined on enlisting and then after 3, 12, and 18 mo of the service. Anthropometry, aerobic capacity (V(O2max), V(O2OBLA), PWC170), anaerobic power and capacity (using Wingate test), performance in the repeated supramaximal exercises and motor performance indices (battery tests for locomotory endurance, agility, explosive power, strength and muscular endurance) were assessed.

RESULTS

Military training produced a significant (p) < 0.05) increase in the body weight (by 4%), lean body mass (by 5.7%) and selected body girths. This was associated by the decrease in body fat from 15% to 13.1%). No significant changes in the aerobic fitness indices were noted. The studied soldiers showed significant increases in anaerobic power (by 5.9%) and anaerobic capacity (by 9.7%) accompanied by a substantial improvement in the performance in the repeated supramaximal exercises. There were also striking improvements in the variables which reflected muscular endurance and explosive power (by 32 78%), a substantial increase in the variables which reflected locomotory endurance (by 12.4%), agility (by 13.7%) and speed (by 11%), and a small rise in the static strength (by 4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the present results show that the military training for paratroopers improves the motor performance and the anaerobic-dependent performance tasks and leads to favorable changes in the body composition but does not result in the improvement of aerobic fitness.