IngentaConnect Changes in Cardiovascular Performance during an 8-Week Military B...

Authors: Santtila, Matti¹; Keijo, Häkkinen²; Laura, Karavirta²; Heikki, Kyröläinen²

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 173, Number 12, December 2008 , pp. 1173-1179(7)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in cardiovascular performance (VO₂ max) and maximal strength development during an 8-week basic training (BT) combined with emphasized endurance training (ET) or strength training (ST) among 72 conscripts. The emphasized ST and ET programs combined with BT improved VO₂ max by 12.0% (p < 0.01) and 8.5% (p < 0.05), while the increase in the control group (normal training) was 13.4% (p < 0.001). Body fat and waist circumference decreased in all groups. Normal training did not increase maximal strength of leg extensors but both ST (9.1%; p < 0.05) and ET (12.9%; p < 0.01) did. In conclusion, the current BT program including a high amount of endurance training improved cardiovascular performance. However, no further improvements in VO₂ max were obtained by added endurance training for three times a week. BT positively influenced body composition but BT alone was not a sufficient stimulus to increase the maximal strength of leg extensors.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Defence Forces, Personnel Division of Defence Command, P.O. Box 919, 00131 Helsinki, Finland. 2: Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, P.O Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland.

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Changes in Cardiovascular Performance during an 8-Week Military Basic Training Period Combined with Added Endurance or Strength Training