Effects of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces training programme on body composition and reproductive hormones in male army recruits.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of a four month endurance training programme on body composition and reproductive hormone levels.


METHODS
PRE and POST training comparative study.


METHODS
Zimbabwe Military Academy, Gweru, Zimbabwe.


METHODS
77 male recruit volunteers participating in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces cadet training programme.


METHODS
Percent body fat, fat free mass, body mass index, total serum testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) compared using the paired t-test.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in all parameters measured after four months of endurance training. Decreases in body composition parameters were 54% in percent body fat, 6% in fat free mass, and 13% in body mass index. There was a dramatic 58% drop in testosterone, 60% drop in LH and 15% drop in FSH after four months of endurance training.


CONCLUSIONS
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces cadet training programme, an endurance training programme induces a state of negative energy balance in trainees. This results in a decrease in % body fat and body mass index due to utilisation of fat stores as a source of energy and a decrease in fat free mass due to gluconeogenic utilisation of muscle protein as energy source for muscle activity. There is impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis function as evidenced by the state of hypogonadal-hypogonadism (low testosterone, LH and FSH). This may be attributed to: 1. gonadotrophin releasing hormone pattern generator malfunction due to the stress of intense physical activity and 2. withdrawal of energy expenditure from reproductive machinery as a way of conserving energy for more vital processes in the prevailing state of energy starvation.
Sewani-Rusike
C R
CR
Department of Physiology, Zimbabwe Defence Forces HQ, Harare. csewani@hotmail.com
Mudambo
K S
KS
Tendaupenyu
G
G
Dzuda
C
C
Tafirenyika
A
A
Zenda
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005943:Gluconeogenesis; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013737:Testis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D015030:Zimbabwe
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone