title: Physical readiness and obesity among male U.S. Navy personnel with limited exercise availability while at sea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate differences in physical readiness and obesity in worksites with inherent limitations in exercise availability, utilizing data from U.S. Navy personnel assigned to submarines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study utilizing height, weight, and Physical Readiness Test (PRT) scores of 26,341 individuals assigned to small submarines (SS), large submarines (LS), and aircraft carriers (AC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PRT failure rates were 3.4% (AC), 1.5% (LS), and 2.9% (SS). Prevalence of obesity was 15.1% (AC), 16.9% (LS), and 17.8% (SS). The adjusted prevalence odds ratio of obesity was increased on SS and LS compared to AC, 1.25 (96% CI = 1.14, 1.31) and 1.17 (95% CI = 1.06, 1.29), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite limitations in exercise availability, submarine personnel performance on the PRT was similar to that of AC personnel. Although the prevalence of obesity on submarines was slightly higher, it remains below U.S. nonmilitary comparison data. Although limited access to exercise has the potential for adverse health effects in worker populations, in our cohort of young men, the changes in both physical readiness and obesity were small. Further research on a more diverse group of workers is warranted.
authors.affiliation: USNH Okinawa, PSC 482 Box 2929, FPO AP 96362.
authors.forename: Marion A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gregg
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jankosky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009326:Naval Medicine; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012767:Ships; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology