Enhancement of Physical and Combat Preparedness of SAF Members - Validation Study

University of Ljubljana34 enrolled

Overview

The aim of the proposed project is to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test in the Slovenian Armed Forces. We will compare the results obtained from a continuous treadmill running test, 2-mile run test, and 30-15IFT.

Since the ability to perform military tasks depends on the physical fitness of soldiers (PF), one of the most commonly measured PF components during routine physical examinations is cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). There are several tests used to measure CRF in the armed forces. Because of its simplicity, the most commonly used test of CRF is the 2-mile run test, but it has its own limitations when it comes to specificity of battlefield requirements, training prescription and optimization, and estimation of Vo2max. In combat situations, soldiers rarely run long distances on the battlefield. Therefore, the 2-mile run test does not appear to represent any specificity of combat. Furthermore, based on the data collected from this test, it is difficult to prescribe and optimize a training program for an individual subject. Therefore, the goal of the proposed project is to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test in the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SCREENING

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Physical Fitness Cardio Respiratory Fitness Aerobic Capacity Physical Examination Combat Preparedness

Interventions

Cardio Respiratory Fitness testingDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

In a randomized cross over designed study, we will measure Vo2max by using different tests: 1. Continous Treadmill Running Test 2. Continous 2-mile run test 3. 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test - first trial and second trial

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Members of Slovenian Armed Forces with no acute and/or chronic neuromuscular and skeletal injuries and/or any other chronic disease or conditions. Exclusion Criteria: older than 45 years of age acute and/or chronic neuromuscular and skeletal injuries the existence of any chronic disease or condition

Locations (1)

Faculty of Sport

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Maxima Oxygen Consumption (Vo2max)

Measure of maximal aerobic capacity (Vo2max)

Time frame: 30 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Maximal Running Speed

Maximal running speed achieved during different Vo2max testing batteries. The speed of the last successfully completed stage will be recorded as the test result, i.e. the maximum running speed (V) during IFT, or the last running speed reached during a continuous test will be defined as VTR

Time frame: 30 minutes

Tensiomyography (TMG)

We will use TMG to assess muscle fatigue from pre to post-different Vo2max testing procedures. The contractile properties of the individual muscles will be assessed by the non-invasive TMG method. We will measure knee extensor and flexors muscles of the dominant leg only.

Time frame: 10 minutes

Jumping ability

Countermovement and squat jumps will be used to assess muscle fatigue from pre to post-different Vo2max testing procedures. Jumping ability will be assessed by vertical jump tests, using a bilateral force plate (model 9260AA6, Kistler, Switzerland) with Kistler MARS software to record ground reaction force data.

Time frame: 10 minutes

D2 test

The D2 Test of Attention is a neuropsychological measure of selective and sustained attention and visual scanning speed. It is a paper and pencil test that asks participants to cross out any letter "d" with two marks around above it or below it in any order.

Time frame: 5 minutes

Stroop test

The stroop is a neuro-psychological test extensively used to assess the ability to inhibit cognitive interference that occurs when the processing of a specific stimulus feature impedes the simultaneous processing of a second stimulus attribute.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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