Efeito de um período de treinamento físico na aptidão física de cadetes militares e sua influência na marcha de 12 km

Abstract

Background: The professional profile of an Officer in the Brazilian Army's combat specialty requires higher levels of physical fitness to perform in specific tasks with high physical and psychological demands. In line with a global trend toward Armies with greater military potential, Law No. 12705 of August 8, 2012, was enacted, mandating the planning and inclusion of women in the training of Officers and Sergeants in the Brazilian Army's combat specialty. Scientific studies, without the new, unprecedented profile, were conducted to establish the parameters for initial physical fitness and fitness throughout military training. A better understanding of the physical and anthropometric performance profile through experimental research, especially for women, given its unique nature, is essential for ensuring satisfactory operational performance, mitigating the incidence of injuries, and promoting health. Objective: To assess the effect of a period of physical training on the physical fitness of young Brazilian Army cadets and its influence on their 12-km walk performance (maximum individual performance). Method: A first study was conducted through a systematic review with meta-analysis on the influence of a period of physical training on the physical fitness of military personnel of both sexes. Based on the first study, a second longitudinal study was conducted to assess the effect of six months of physical training on the physical fitness of young adults of both sexes (Brazilian Army cadets). The third study assessed the influence of the physical fitness of military personnel of both sexes on their 12-km walk performance (maximum individual performance). Results: The results of the systematic review with meta-analysis indicate that there was no significance in the delta variation effect size for most of the meta-analyzed variables. The results of the second article on the influence of six months of physical training on the physical fitness of cadets of both sexes showed a significant inverse increase in the anthropometric variables MCT and BMI in both sexes. Regarding physical performance variables, there was a significant intragroup increase in average speed in the 3000-meter run test, pull-up on the pull-up bar (FBBF), and push-up on the floor (FBS). The results of the third study on the influence of physical fitness on 12-km walking performance demonstrate that the variables average 3000-meter running speed (-0.801), FBBF performance (-0.685), FBS performance (-0.652), total mass (-0.667), lean mass (-0.757) and total fat percentage (0.646) had the greatest correlation with 12-km walking performance. Furthermore, linear regression was performed with these variables mentioned above and the result of the coefficient of determination was R²= 0.637. Conclusion: Female physical fitness is significantly lower throughout the training period and performance in the 12 km walk (maximum individual performance) was directly influenced by this difference in physical fitness between the sexes