Heikki Kyröläinen1, Kai Pihlainen2, Jani P Vaara3, Tommi Ojanen4, Matti Santtila3. 1. Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Finland; Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Finland. Electronic address: heikki.kyrolainen@jyu.fi. 2. Training Division, Defence Command, Finland. 3. Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Finland. 4. Human Performance Division, Finnish Defence Research Agency, Finland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Worldwide decreases in physical fitness and increases in body fat among youth have set challenges for armed forces to recruit physically capable soldiers. Therefore, knowledge of optimizing physical adaptation and performance through physical training is vital. In addition, maintaining or improving physical performance among professional soldiers in various military environments is crucial for overall military readiness. The present review focuses on the effects of military training on physical performance by searching for optimal methods to do it. DESIGN AND METHODS: Review article based on selected literature searches using the main keywords 'physical performance' and 'training' and 'military' from MEDLINE and SportDiscus® engines. Additional selected references were included that encompassed the same words but were not found in the present search. RESULTS: Military training mainly consists of prolonged physical activities and training performed at low-intensities, which may interfere with optimal muscle strength and considering development of maximal strength, power, and aerobic capacity. Combined endurance and strength training seems to be a superior training method to improve overall physical performance of soldiers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that military training needs a greater variation in training stimulus to induce more effective training adaptations, especially, when considering the development of maximal or explosive strength and maximal aerobic capacity. Training programs should be well periodised so that total training load increases progressively but also includes sufficient recovery periods. In addition, some individualized programming is required to avoid unnecessary injuries and overloading because the differences in initial physical fitness of soldiers can be very high.
OBJECTIVES: Worldwide decreases in physical fitness and increases in body fat among youth have set challenges for armed forces to recruit physically capable soldiers. Therefore, knowledge of optimizing physical adaptation and performance through physical training is vital. In addition, maintaining or improving physical performance among professional soldiers in various military environments is crucial for overall military readiness. The present review focuses on the effects of military training on physical performance by searching for optimal methods to do it. DESIGN AND METHODS: Review article based on selected literature searches using the main keywords 'physical performance' and 'training' and 'military' from MEDLINE and SportDiscus® engines. Additional selected references were included that encompassed the same words but were not found in the present search. RESULTS: Military training mainly consists of prolonged physical activities and training performed at low-intensities, which may interfere with optimal muscle strength and considering development of maximal strength, power, and aerobic capacity. Combined endurance and strength training seems to be a superior training method to improve overall physical performance of soldiers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that military training needs a greater variation in training stimulus to induce more effective training adaptations, especially, when considering the development of maximal or explosive strength and maximal aerobic capacity. Training programs should be well periodised so that total training load increases progressively but also includes sufficient recovery periods. In addition, some individualized programming is required to avoid unnecessary injuries and overloading because the differences in initial physical fitness of soldiers can be very high.
Authors: Alex P Di Battista; Katherine A Moes; Maria Y Shiu; Michael G Hutchison; Nathan Churchill; Scott G Thomas; Shawn G Rhind Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2018-09-28 Impact factor: 4.566
Authors: Tommi Ojanen; Keijo Häkkinen; Jaakko Hanhikoski; Heikki Kyröläinen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Kai Pihlainen; Heikki Kyröläinen; Matti Santtila; Tommi Ojanen; Jani Raitanen; Keijo Häkkinen Journal: J Strength Cond Res Date: 2020-12-17 Impact factor: 4.415