Physical fitness, training volume, and self-determined motivation in soldiers during a peacekeeping mission.
OBJECTIVE
The goal was to register physical training volume and to measure changes in physical fitness in soldiers during a peacekeeping mission. The relationship between these factors and motivation for physical training was also investigated.


METHODS
Physical training volume was registered and maximal oxygen uptake, 3-km run time, sit-ups, push-ups, and chin-ups were tested before and after 1 year of service for 71 Norwegian soldiers in the international Kosovo Force. Self-determined motivation was measured at the end of the service.


RESULTS
Physical training volume was 117 +/- 77 minutes/week. The average maximal oxygen uptake decreased by 2.5 +/- 0.8% (p < 0.01). Intrinsic motivation positively predicted physical training volume (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
A large variation in training volume was found, and only one-third of the soldiers improved physical fitness and maintained body weight. Fostering intrinsic motivation toward physical training is key to increasing training volume. However, obligatory training could ensure a minimum of physical training among the soldiers who were least motivated for physical training.
Dyrstad
Sindre M
SM
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, NO-0806 Oslo, Norway.
Miller
Blake W
BW
Hallén
Jostein
J
D000328:Adult; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009042:Motivation; D009664:Norway; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015022:Yugoslavia