title: Physical fitness level affects perception of chronic stress in military trainees.
abstract: This study investigated whether physical fitness affects the perception of chronic stress in military trainees while controlling for established factors influencing stress perception. The sample consisted of 273 men (20.23 ± 1.12 years, 73.56 ± 10.52 kg, 1.78 ± 0.06 m). Physical fitness was measured by progressive endurance run (maximum oxygen uptake; VO2max), standing long jump, seated shot put, trunk muscle strength, and one leg standing test. Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire in Weeks 1 and 11 of basic military training (BMT). VO2max and four influencing variables (perceived stress in Week 1, neuroticism, transformational leadership style, and education level) explained 44.44% of the variance of the increase in perceived stress during 10 weeks of BMT (R2= 0.444, F = 23.334, p < .001). The explained variance of VO2max was 4.14% (R2= 0.041), with a Cohen's f2effect size of 0.045 (assigned as a small effect by Cohen, ). The results indicate a moderating influence of good aerobic fitness on the varied level of perceived stress. We conclude that it is advisable to provide conscripts with a specific endurance training program prior to BMT for stress prevention reasons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports and Sport Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tuch
authors.affiliation: Volkswagen Group Academy, Wolfsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Teubel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: La Marca
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.affiliation: Military Academy at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Annen
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wyss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: military trainees; military training; perceived stress; physical fitness