Journal of Military Medicine
Year:2020 | Volume:22 | Issue:Special Issue (National Conference on military Physical Fitness in Combat resilience)|Papers Count:18

Background and Aim: Musculoskeletal injuries are a major cause of disability in military personnel. Meanwhile, low back pain is one of the most common and high-risk problems among the military. Low back pain is more common in active-duty personnel and in military settings than in other populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was the survey of the effect of corrective exercises on posture control and quality of life of soldiers with chronic low back pain. Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design, the statistical sample consisted of 30 soldiers with low back pain with a mean age of 35. 6 who were randomly selected. The Y Balance Test was used to measure the control of the passport and the balance of the subjects. The quality of life was measured by the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: In physical health, psychological health and environmental health, subscales of quality of life, there is no significant difference between pre-test and post-test (P<0. 05). However, there was a significant difference in the subscale of social health (P<0. 05). The balance between pre-test and post-test of the control group was not significantly different (P<0. 05). The results of correlated t-test on the variables of quality of life and balance in the experimental group showed that there was no significant difference between subscales of quality of life: physical health and environmental health in pre-test and post-test (P<0. 05) while subscales of psychological health and social health showed a significant difference in pre-test and post-test (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that corrective exercises had a positive effect on the quality of life indicators and posture control of soldiers with chronic low back pain. Therefore, it is recommended that corrective exercises be considered in military organs along with other exercises.

Background and Aim: Exercise training is known as an anti-inflammatory agent. In this regard, the aim of present study was to investigate the effect of six week iso-volume continuous and interval training on serum levels of IL-18 and CRP and metabolic profile in obese and overweight soldiers. Methods: 28 obese and overweight soldiers chosen as a study subjects and randomly assigned in three groups including continuous (n=9), interval (n=10) and control (n=9) groups. Continuous and interval exercise training performed three session per week for six weeks. 48 hours after six weeks intervention, blood samples collected and IL-18 and CRP levels were measured by ELISA methods. Results: The significant decrease of IL-18 and CRP in continuous and interval groups was recorded in comparison to control group. There was no significant difference for IL-18 and CRP levels between two trained groups. Moreover, significant improvement of lipid profile was observed in trained groups in comparison to control group. Conclusion: According to the findings, it seems that iso-volume continuous and interval endurance training have an effective role in modulating inflammatory factors including IL-18 and CRP, and there was no significant differences between them in modulating selected variables.

Background and Aim: Delayed muscle soreness in military forces is unavoidable due to the nature of their mission, and purslane extract has a significant effect on enhancing their function due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. So the purpose of the present study was investigation of the effects two consumption methods of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on functional indicators of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after eccentric resistance exercise in military students. Methods: Thirty active military students (age 20. 4± 11. 4 years, weight 76. 3± 7. 6 kg, height 176. 2± 5. 6 cm, body mass index 24. 5± 1. 7) were randomly divided into 3 groups include the high, low dose and placebo. The high, low dose groups received 1200 and 600 mg capsules, respectively, and the placebo group only consumed starch-containing capsules for 12 days from one week to 96 hours after eccentric resistance exercise (Squat). Delayed onset muscle soreness was established using a leg press training session, where each subject performed 4 sets presses each with 20 repetitions and 3 minutes rest between each sets with load equal to 80% of 1-isotonic maximal repetition. And 6, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours after exercise protocol, thigh circumference, thigh flexion range, talag and visual analog pain and vertical jump (Sargent jump) measured. Results: one session of eccentric resistance exercise significantly increased thigh circumference, talag pain, analog pain and decreased function. There was a significant difference between the performance indices in the six stages measured before and after the eccentric resistance exercise in the three groups (P <0. 05). Also, administration of high-dose purslane (1200 mg) significantly decreased talag pain variables, significant increase in sargent jump record (P <0. 05), and low-dose purslane (600 mg) significantly reduced visual pain (P <0/05) and with regard to thigh circumference and thigh flexion range, the dose of purslane did not have a significant effect. Conclusion: Overall, our study showed that the dose of purslane (1200 or 600 mg) in the military affects DOMS-influenced performance factors following an eccentric resistance exercise session. However, further research is needed to clarify this issue.

Background and Aim: The development of functional promotion methods in military tactics, especially shooting, is essential for the military. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of neuropsychological rehabilitation on the improvement of cognitive function related to accuracy and attention in military shooters with moderating effect of organism constraint. Methods: The current study was a quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and retention design with control group, it was performed on 64 military shooters aged 25 to 34 (32 people with competitive state anxiety and 32 people without competitive state anxiety). Participants were randomly selected from a military base in Tehran, Iran and were purposefully divided into four groups 1) experimental without competitive state anxiety, 2) control without competitive state anxiety, 3) experimental with competitive state anxiety and 4) control with competitive state anxiety. Experimental groups received neuropsychological rehabilitation for 7 weeks in addition to shooting training (three sessions per week). Control groups participated only in shooting training. Competitive state anxiety was considered as moderator of organism constraint. Instruments included neuropsychological rehabilitation program, the continuous performance test and the cox competitive state anxiety inventory. Results: Results of data analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference between the mean scores commission error, omission error and hit reaction time of the pre-test and post-test experimental and control groups. the experimental group without competitive state anxiety as well as the experimental group without competitive state anxiety, showed significant improvements in cognitive functions related to accuracy and attention following neuropsychological interventions; while no change was observed in the control groups (p<0/001). Competitive state anxiety also contributed to differences among groups. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study neuropsychological rehabilitation can be applied as an efficient method to the improvement of cognitive function related to accuracy and attention in military shooters in status without competitive state anxiety and with competitive state anxiety.

Background and Aim: Promoting physical activity is one of the most important and effective strategies to reduce the risk of some diseases, reduce social deviations, and increase the vitality of communities. The purpose of the present study was to identification and ranking of the sport development factors in the health branch of armed forces. Methods: The statistical population of the study included faculty members, physical education professors, managers, coaches and athletes in armed forces. In the first stage of the research, development factors were identified using interviews with 11 people of statistical population; the sampling method at this stage was purposive and snowballing and continued until the theoretical saturation of the interviews. In the second and third stages, the identified factors in the interview and study background of the study were investigated by Delphi group (n = 13); the sampling method in this phase was purposeful and available; In these two stages, factors with at least 60% positive response remained for the next stage; In the final stage, a researcher-made questionnaire of the fivepoint Likert spectrum obtained from the previous steps was used to rank the identified factors. The sampling method at this stage was simple random that 384 persons were selected as the statistical sample. A questionnaire was distributed among them and 338 questionnaires were completed. For the rank of factors, Friedman test was used in SPSS software. Results: According to the findings of this study, the most important aspects were infrastructure, partnership development, management, environmental factors and individual factors respectively. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that creating the necessary infrastructure in sports in different sectors is essential for increasing staff participation.

The 2017 Nobel Prize for medicine was awarded the biological clock Scientist, which shows the importance of this phenomenon in the life of living organisms. The circadian Rhythm (CR) through the created internal “ clock” is responsible for regulating the daily performance of different organs of the body. The central body clock is the key factor to creating and maintaining this CR. External optical cues and non-optical environmental indications (Zeitgeber), including optical stimuli, eating time, environmental temperature and exercise, are able to influence and regulate the CR. During military activities, there is always an innate conflict between the body's internal clock and military working programs. There are also many reports about sleep disorders and malnutrition in military forces. The long-term desynchronization of physiological processes with CR may lead to impaired physical, physiological, metabolic, mental and cognitive functions of military personnel. In addition to the impact of CR on physiological systems, the priority of the special time of day or night for activities is also another important factor to be considered. The preferential difference of activity time (known as ‘ chronotypes’ ) is referred to in different physiological rhythm, including physical performance and response to sports activity. Better performance and muscular fatigue during exercise during the evening can be justified through higher central temperatures, catecholamine concentrations, lactate levels, and biological markers of muscle damage. However, considering the interaction between the time of day (TOD) and the impact of physical activity on the response of biochemical parameters, the CR of these parameters in the military force is not fully defined during physical activity. Designing suitable sport interventional strategies to improve short/long-term military health is a key issue in promoting metabolic health. Putatively, correct timing of exercise bouts might ameliorate some deleterious results of acute and chronic shift work.

Background and Aim: One of the essential needs of the armed forces, is to have physical fitness and regular physical activity in order to successfully carry out the missions in different conditions and can affect the mental health of them. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity of AJA employees and its relationship with psychological factors (physical self-concept, mental toughness, anxiety and depression). Methods: 130 AJA military personnel were randomly selected and physical activity, physical self-concept, mental toughness, anxiety and depression questionnaires were distributed among them. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the level of physical activity and psychological characteristics of the employees, while Pearson correlation method was employed to evaluate the relationship between the variables. Results: The physical activity of AJA employees was at moderate level, at the same time, the Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated that there is a significant relationship between physical activity and psychological characteristics of the employees (P <0. 05). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that to increase the level of physical fitness of AJA employees and also to have mental health, including reducing anxiety and depression and increasing physical self-concept and mental toughness, moderate to severe physical activity should be included in their daily schedule.

Background and Aim: Many epidemiologic studies have shown alterations in the concentration of betatrophin (ANGPTL8) in metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of continuous exercise on serum betatrophin and lipid levels in obese men. Methods: In this study, 20 obese men were randomly divided into control (n = 10) and exercise (n = 10) groups. Exercise program was performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week with intensity of 55 to 85% of maximum heart rate. Serum levels of betatropin, LDL, HDL and TG were measured before and after 8 week training. Results: Eight weeks of continuous training resulted significant decrease in betatrophin, TG, LDL and increase HDL in training group compared to control group. Intergroup analysis of these indices also showed a significant difference between the exercise and control groups. According to the results of the Pearson test, betatrophin levels were positively correlated with TG, LDL, BMI and negative with HDL. Conclusion: Eight weeks of continuous training can lower betatrophin levels in obese people. This change is in line with the change in lipid metabolism. It seems that betatrophin may be a therapeutic target in obesity-related disorders such as dyslipidemia.

Background and Aim: Providing information about the prevalence of postural abnormalities and musculoskeletal disorders can be effective in designing preventive programs. The purpose of present study was to investigate the prevalence of postural abnormalities and musculoskeletal disorders among ships staff. Methods: In present study, posture and musculoskeletal condition of 207 individual of ships staff were investigated. For postural and musculoskeletal evaluation of ships staff New York posture rating scale and Nordic questionnaire were used, respectively. Results: There was a significant difference among the prevalence of postural abnormalities (x2 =429. 86, p=0. 001), and musculoskeletal disorders (x2 =302. 07, p=0. 001), in different parts of the body of ships staff. Conclusion: Postural deformities and musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent among ships staff. Lumbar hyperlordosis deformity and disorder in low back are the most prevalent postural deformity and disorder among ships staff.

Military forces based on their mission have to deployment and executed military operation in extreme environmental conditions, they simultaneously experience nutritional and sleep disorders and endure mental stress. This condition plays essential role in body hemostasis, military fitness components and finally commanded mission's success. Neglecting above mentioned condition physiological responses, as long as providing nutritional, training, and motivational needs could be health compromising, reduce productivity and finally led to operations failure. Various insight presented regards fronting these stressful environment induced disorders; it seems, investigating physiological responses to military environment stress, based on its specific characteristics, and employing specified standards for mission in these environments could be one part of possible strategy. In these review we mentioned the physiological responses to environmental stressor of warm, cold, high altitude and their expected effects on military personnel function, as a training and nutritional approach to deal with convinced stress. However, it should be emphasis that providing exact solution based on existence needs, required experimentally simulation of operation environment and preparing classified instructions based on directional research.

Background and Aim: Since having good physical fitness is one of the important indicators for enrolling students in military colleges, in order to compare and determine the ranking of these students in relation to society, presenting up-to-date norms is necessary. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluation of some indicators of physical fitness, body composition and balance in Imam Ali university students with the purpose of norm presentation. Methods: The statistical population of the present study consisted of all students in Imam Ali University, who after conducting initial assessments, based on the objectives of the research and using the cluster sampling plan, 272 of these individuals were selected as the research sample. After familiarizing the subjects with the research methods, physical-motor fitness tests consist of 60 meters sprint run, 3600 meters endurance run, 4 by 9 meters agility test, curl up (maximum number in 2 minutes), push up (maximum number in 2 minutes) and pull up ((maximum number), as well as the three modes of static balance test and body composition assessment test were performed. Findings were presented as percentage norms and histogram diagrams. Results: The mean and standard deviation values for BMI (22. 72± 2. 45), body fat percentage (15. 21± 4. 80), skeletal muscle mass percentage (47. 81± 2. 80), Whr (0. 82± 0. 04), curl up (63. 67± 14. 54), push up (63. 09± 13. 66), pull up (8. 42± 5. 20), 60 meters run (8. 94± 0. 69), 3600 meters run (13. 53± 0. 81), 4 by 9 meters agility test (9. 27± 0. 71), front and rear foot component of static balance test (0. 92 ± 0. 54) and one-footed component of static balance test (1. 43± 1. 37) were recorded. Conclusion: The descriptive data presented in this study can be used to assess the health and physical fitness of students of Imam Ali University and other military colleges of the army forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and also to select more appropriate criteria for the entrance exam of army colleges.

Background and Aim: Determining and evaluating the status of physical fitness of forces is important, as consequently it can provide accurate planning for the development of physical fitness factors, promotion of healthy lifestyles and the provision of desirable services in the area of assigned tasks. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the level of physical fitness of female college students in a military-medical center. Methods: In descriptive cross-sectional study 75 female scholarship students in the military-medical center, Tehran, Iran take part as study sample. After initial medical evaluation and exclusion of illness person or with special problems, the health physical activity and medical history questionnaires were completed by the subjects. Anthropometric tests (height, weight, and body mass index) and physical fitness tests including body composition (body composition analysis), trunk muscle endurance (sit up test) and upper body muscle endurance (push up test), flexibility (sit and reach), cardiovascular endurance (shuttle-run test) and agility (4×9 test) were performed by physical education specialists. Results: The body mass index was 21. 84 kg/m2 and body fat was 28. 04 percent. The mean of sit-up and push up tests were 40 and 29. 74 repetition, respectively. The mean record of 35. 62 cm for flexibility, 25. 34 ml/kg/min for cardiovascular endurance, and 12. 20 seconds for 4×9 agility test were obtained. Conclusion: The body mass index of female students was in the normal range, but their body fat percentage was in very poor condition. The subject's record in cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and agility factors was poor.

Background and Aim: In addition to antioxidant compounds, green tea has anti-diabetic antibacterial, antiinflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-obesity properties. So, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 8-weeks of aerobic training and green tea supplementation on aerobic capacity, body mass index and fat percentage in obese and overweight officers students. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, which was conducted in 2018 at Imam Ali Officer University, 60 subjects with age range 18-22 years and BMI greater than 25 kg / m2 were selected by available convenience sampling method; They were divided randomly into 4 groups: aerobic training (n=13), green tea supplement (n=18), aerobic training + green tea supplement (n=16) and control groups (n=13). Aerobic training program included aerobic training 45-60 minutes at 60-80% maximum heart rate, three sessions per week which lasted for 8 weeks. Green tea supplement group while maintaining their diet 2 hours after each meal brewed 2 g dry green tea in 150cc Boiling water in three meals in the morning, noon and evening consumed. The aerobic capacity, body mass index and fat percentage of the participants in the two stages before and after the training protocol were also measured. A one-way statistical analysis of the variance test (ANOVA) was used to significantly compare the groups, and a Tukey follow-up test was used to significantly compare the pairs of groups. Results: Eight weeks of aerobic training significantly reduced body weight, body mass index and body fat percentage (P<0. 05) and green tea supplementation significantly reduced body weight and body mass index (P<0. 05). Also, the combination of aerobic training and green tea supplementation, in addition to weight loss, body mass index and body fat percentage, resulted in a significant increase in aerobic capacity (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Considering that the combination of aerobic training and green tea supplementation reduces the body mass index, fat percentage and increases aerobic capacity among officer students. It is therefore a valuable non-pharmacological strategy for realizing and improving research parameters.

Although adequate sleep is an important factor in daily performance and health of all civilians, with regard to nature of their job, military forces are prone to sleep disorders and insomnia and low sleep quality are common problem in military. Combat readiness is a broad concept and is influenced by several factors such as infrastructures and equipment, supporting agents and the quality of the organization, it is believed that human resources are the most valuable assets of the military forces and the factors affecting their performance in individual levels have a significant impact on total readiness of military forces. Due to its vital importance in military performance, beside nutrition and exercise nowadays sleep is identified as one of the pillars of Army Performance Triad (P3), and scientific and military medical boards and organizations provided special recommendations to optimize sleep and performance in military forces. According to the guidelines compliance with the sleep hygiene guidelines and implementing sleep management strategies in military environments by improving sleep quality may reduce the consequences of inadequate sleep and be helpful in optimizing military performance and readiness. However, there is still need for more research to provide practical recommendations for the purpose of managing sleep under unforeseen operational conditions, as well as specific environmental conditions (altitude, very cold and warm environments, etc. ) to maintain or enhance combat power of military forces.

Background and Aim: Citrulline Malate (CM) has proposed as a supplement which improves anaerobic performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term effect of CM on LDH and Lactate levels and resistance exercise performance. Method: In a crossover study, 16 males (mean Age: 26. 4± 4. 7 years, BFP: 15. 4± 6. 7 %, and BMI: 23. 7± 2. 8 kg. m2) selected as subjects. The subjects were attended 3 resistance exercise sessions in a full body protocol consisting of Hack Squat, Leg Extension, Barbell press and Lat Pull down respectively. An hour Before the beginning of exercise, the subjects consumed 6g CM+250ml water in the first week, placebo consisting of 5g Dextrose+250ml water in the second week, and 8g CM+250 ml water in the last week. Blood Samples were taken from each subject 1 hour before, immediately, and 30min after exercise to measure LDH and Lactate levels. Immediately after each set, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) for all exercises were recorded. Results: There are no significant changes in Lactate levels between resistance exercise sessions (P>0. 05), but there is significant difference in LDH levels (P<0. 05). Moreover, no significant change seen in RPE between sessions (P>0. 05). Conclusion: It seems that consuming CM following an intense resistance exercise session may reduce LDH levels but it does not improve RPE after exercise.

Background and Aim: In recent years, many efforts have been made to develop public sports in Iran. The purpose of this study was to identifying and prioritizing the sports fields selection criteria with public sports development approach in Islamic republic of Iran army. Methods: All experts of the physical education department of Army in Tehran, Iran were a sample of qualitative stage, 12 of whom were interviewed in a purposeful and accessible method and completed the interviews with theoretical saturation. Data analysis with thematic analysis technique identified 6 main themes and 22 sub themes. The quality of the findings was confirmed by verifying of the participants and calculating the reliability coefficient of the coding. The statistical population of the quantitative phase consisted of the managers and deputies of the physical education units of army forces and sport officers in Tehran, 25 of whom completed a paired comparisons questionnaire based on qualitative findings. Results: Analysis of data by AHP method in Expert Chase 11 software showed that the priority of the main criteria were cost (0. 402), space (0. 228), applicability (0. 123), training capability (0. 112), attractiveness (0. 091) and versatility (0. 043). Also, in the sub-criteria, low infrastructure capital (0. 191), cheap individual equipment (0. 109) and the need for flexible space (0. 108) were the top three priorities. Consistency of the comparisons was confirmed by calculating the inconsistency rate (<0. 1). Conclusion: The current findings can be used to launch public sports activities and disciplines in different areas in the Army.

Background and Aim: Functional Movement Screening (FMS) which plays an important role in predicting sports injuries, has been recommended by many sports experts in designing exercise programs. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of functional movement training program on functional movement screening scores and selected physical fitness factors in active military men. Methods: Thirty eight active injury-prone military men were divided into experimental (n=18) and control (n=20) groups based on functional movement screening and without any injury using the convenience and purposive method. Functional movement Screening (FMS) was evaluated by a set of FMS and flexibility tests through sit and Reach test; Dynamic Balance was evaluated by Y-Balance Test (YBT); and the explosive power by the Sargent's jump test. The experimental group performed the functional movement training program for eight weeks. Results: The comparison of total FMS score indicated a significant difference (P<0. 05 and effect size=0. 64) between experimental and control groups. There was also a significant improvement in the scores of flexibility (p<0. 05 and effect size=0. 87), dynamic balance (p<0. 05 and effect size=0. 78) and explosive power (p<0. 05 and effect size=0. 68). Conclusion: According to results, the functional movement training program could increase scores of functional movement screening and physical fitness in active military men. Therefore, it seems that this training program can reduce the risk of injury in injury-prone individuals.

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of TRX training on changes in cerebral serotonin, happiness, and Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) score and the relationship between serotonin and happiness of border guard’ s soldiers in Sistan and Baluchestan province, south-west of Iran. Methods: 30 border guard’ s soldiers volunteered to participate in this study and were in two control (age: 22. 1± 2. 8 years) and experimental (age: 23± 2. 2 years) groups. TRX training was performed three times a week for eight weeks, and the intensity of the training was increased every two weeks. Serotonin levels, happiness, some anthropometric dimensions, and fitness levels (using the APFT test) were measured before and after training. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before and after the last training session and tested in a specialized laboratory. Results: In the experimental group, serotonin level 71. 7% (P=0. 0001), happiness 29. 5% (P=0. 0001), and APFT test score 16. 3% (P=0. 0001) had a significant increase; while in the control group, serotonin levels showed a significant decrease of 24. 2% (P=0. 011). The findings indicate a significant increase in serotonin, happiness, and APFT score in the experimental group compared to the control group (P=0. 0001). Also, a direct and relatively strong relationship was observed between serotonin changes and happiness (r=0. 616). Conclusion: TRX's eight-week workouts seem to have a positive effect on physical fitness, body composition, and increase soldiers' vitality and happiness.