Changes in selected parameters of health and physical fitness following a sixteen-week deployment at sea.
The effects of 16 weeks at sea upon selected parameters of health and physical fitness were investigated in 30 male volunteers (from a total crew of 48 men) prior to, and immediately following deployment. The 30 subjects were assigned to either an exercise group, 'Ex' (n = 12), or a non-exercising group, 'Nilex' (n = 18), according to their reported participation in vigorous training or sports. Body mass index (BMI), calculated from height and weight, revealed that prior to deployment 13 of the 30 subjects (two in the Ex group) had a BMI over 25 kg.m-2 (i.e. overweight), and a further three subjects (all 'non-exercisers') had values of 30 kg.m-2 or more (obese). In addition, the diastolic blood pressure of two subjects was in excess of 95 mmHg and five subjects had resting heart rates above 89 beats per minute. Retrospective comparisons between the Ex and Nilex groups revealed a significantly lower percentage body fat (P < 0.01) and a faster rate of cardiac recovery (P < 0.05) following a standardised bout of exercise in the Ex group, albeit that these individuals were significantly younger (mean age of 24 years) than those in the Nilex group (32 years). Following deployment, in the Nilex group, comparison of pre- and post values showed that resting heart rate was elevated (P < 0.01) on return from sea. Similarly, in the Nilex group heart rate while performing the standardised exercise bout was also elevated (P < 0.05) on the second test occasion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Institute of Naval Medicine, Gosport, Hampshire.
P W
PW
King-Lewis
A J
AJ
Allsopp
D000328:Adult; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009326:Naval Medicine; D010809:Physical Fitness