Research Paper Title
Training Load and Energy Expenditure during Military Basic Training Period.
Background
To compare training load and energy expenditure during an 8-wk military basic training (BT) period among individuals having different fitness level using objective measurements in an authentic environment.
Methods
Thirty-four voluntary male conscripts (age, 19.1 ± 0.3 years) were divided into three training groups (inactive, moderate, active) by their reported physical activity (PA) level evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) before military service.
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and HR were determined by maximal treadmill test in the beginning and after 4 and 7 weeks of BT. During BT, HR monitors and accelerometers were used to measure PA and energy expenditure. The HR data were used to calculate the training load (TRIMP, training impulse) for each day, week, and the whole BT period.
Results
Training load of BT was comparable to training of competitive athletes at the highest level. The training groups differed (P < 0.001-0.05) in terms of V˙O2max to each other (inactive, 36 ± 6; moderate, 42 ± 6; active, 48 ± 6 mL·kg·min).
The conscripts in the inactive group were the most loaded during the study period (TRIMPinactive 12,393 ± 2989 vs TRIMPmoderate 10,252 ± 1337, P < 0.05 and TRIMPactive 8444 ± 2051, P < 0.01). The PA intensity of different military tasks during the BT period were low or moderate (<6 METs).
Conclusions
The remarkable training load during BT period is comparable to the training loads of professional athletes participating in 3 weeks of cycling competition. The training load in BT period was, however, primarily due to duration of low-intensity activities including only some high-intensity military activities.
In the future, measuring the training load during military service is recommended to customise the physical training for conscripts regarding their individual fitness level as much as possible.
Reference
Jurvelin, H., Tanskanen-Tervo, M., Kinnunen, H., Santtila, M. & Kyrolainen, H. (2020) Training Load and Energy Expenditure during Military Basic Training Period. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise. 52(1), pp86-93. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002092.
