The South African Defence Force physical training programme. Part I. Effect of 1 year's military training on endurance fitness.
The effect of the South African Defence Force's (SADF) military training on the endurance fitness of recruits was investigated. Pre-military training maximal O2 consumption (53,14 ml/kg/min) did not change significantly during the study. In contrast, lactate turnpoint (ml O2/kg/min) and treadmill performance time were moderately enhanced (7,5% and 8% respectively; P less than 0,05) by the initial 10-week basic training programme. Further analysis of the results showed this endurance-training effect to be limited to recruits of average and, in particular, below-average fitness. The salutary effect of basic training on fitness levels was, however, transient, the values on completion of 1 year's military training being unaltered from those before conscription. This preliminary assessment of the SADF physical training programme suggests a need for the introduction of changes during and, in particular, after basic training.
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors