Abstract details
| Abstract-ID: | 1905 |
| Title of the paper: | THE EFFECT OF MILITARY TRAINING ON BODY COMPOSITION AND BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN CZECH AIR FORCE PILOTS |
| Authors: | GERYCH, D.1,2, VESELÁ, J.1, STRÍTECKÁ, H.2 |
| Institution: | 1 CASRI - Sports Research Institute of Czech Armed, 2 University of Defence, Faculty of Military Health Sciences |
| Department: | Department of Exercise Physiology |
| Country: | Czech Republic |
| Abstract text | INTRODUCTION: Czech Air Force pilots are highly trained and physically active individuals. Although there are no differences in basic military training among the pilots, there are significant differences between pilots concerning specific training based on the type of piloted aircraft. Compared to helicopter pilots, fighter pilots are regularly exposed to hypoxia, pressure and temperature changes, as well as, physical stress and strain due to gravitational forces induced by high accelerations. In order to integrate exercise and nutritional measures into an effective training program of military pilots, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of different aircraft piloting on body composition and biochemical markers in blood. METHODS: 21 male fighter pilots (aged 37 ± 6 years) and 20 male helicopter pilots (aged 36 ± 7 years) were observed during the four-month period. Firstly, fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured using amplitude-mode ultrasound system (BodyMetrix™BX2000). Secondly, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) was assessed by the Katch & McArdle formula. Finally, the capillary blood was taken from all participants and immediately analyzed for biochemical markers related to metabolism of energy-yielding nutrients: cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), triacylglycerols (TAG), urea, uric acid, and glucose. Biochemical analysis of blood samples was performed using a dry chemistry method. Unpaired two samples t-test was performed to compare fighter pilots (FP) with helicopter pilots (HP). The significance level was set 0.05. RESULTS: The higher value of FM was found in helicopter pilots. Furthermore, a higher concentration of LDL and uric acid was found in helicopter pilots, whereas, a higher concentration of glucose was observed in fighter pilots. All measured parameters in both groups fall into the range for healthy individuals, although there was statistically significant differences between compared groups in FM (FP 12.0 ± 3.7 vs. HP 14.6 ± 4.2, p?0.05), the concentration of LDL (FP 2.19 ± 0.66 vs. HP 2.63 ± 0.71, p?0.05), uric acid (FP 314 ± 83 vs. HP 360 ± 58, p?0.05) and glucose (FP 4.95 ± 0.61 vs. HP 4.61 ± 0.42, p?0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that helicopter pilots are prone to have a greater FM and higher blood cholesterol concentration in comparison with fighter pilots. Based on these results specific exercise and nutritional measures may be applied to improve health, fitness and the effectiveness of the specific military training program. |
| Topic: | Training and Testing |
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