Changes induced by military physical training on body composition of military young adults

Abstract

Introduction: Military physical training (MPT) is able to promote improvements in physical fitness of subjects. However, the effects of training on body composition have been little studied. Objective: To verify the effect of MPT on body composition of military young adults. Methods: Forty-seven male recruits, aged 18 to 23 yrs, performed MPT during three weeks. Before and after MPT, were measurements taken weight and estimates of relative body fat, total muscle mass, arm muscle area and thigh muscle area. Results: After the MPT were observed significant reductions in relative body fat (11.4 ± 6.9 vs. 10.1 ± 5.4; p<0.001), total muscle mass (33.3 ± 2.8 vs. 33.1 ± 2.6; p=0.048), arm muscle area (45.5 ± 12.8 vs. 43.5 ± 11.2; p<0.001) and thigh muscle area (176.4 ± 24.3 vs. 172.2 ± 22.5; p=0.015). Conclusion: Three weeks of MPT promote decreased on body fat and muscle mass.