Manuel Coge1, Henrique P. Neiva1,2, Ana Pereira3,4,5, Rogério M. Pereira1,2, Bruno Ribeiro1, Dulce Esteves1,2
1University of Beira Interior, Department of Sport Sciences, Covilhã, Portugal
2Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Covilhã, Portugal
3Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Escola Superior de Educação, Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologias, Setúbal
4Life Quality Research Centre, Rio Maior, Portugal
5SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center,
Centro de Investigação e Inovação em Desporto Atividade Física e Saúde, Santarém, Portugal
Anthropometrical and Physical Performance Profiles of Military Cadets from Angola
Monten. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2024, 13(2), 13-20 | DOI: 10.26773/mjssm.240902
Abstract
Military efforts must include different evaluations to prepare for battles around the world. This study aimed to characterize the body composition and physical performance levels of military cadets from Angola. Ninety military academy participants (males: n=48, females: n=42) aged 18-24 years old performed a battery of physical fitness tests to evaluate upper and lower limbs muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition. Significant differences between sexes were observed in all variables (p<0.05). Males and females, respectively, showed normal-range values in the body mass index (BMI) (23.32±3.95; 24.75±4.01 Kg/m2), body fat (9.09±6.17; 14.59±8.86 kg), push-ups (36.88±9.81; 20.67±6.62 repetitions), sit-ups (71.04±17.14; 61.95±19.05 repetitions) and medicine ball throwing (5.06±0.89; 4.00±0.84 m). However, countermovement jump (36.14±6.54; 23.53±7.62 cm), 80-meter sprint (13.08±1.90; 14.96±2.01 s), cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen uptake: 38.02±6.3; 33.18±6.49 ml/kg/min), and fat-free mass values (54.17 ± 8.06; 46.18 ± 6.9 kg) were considered low, specifically in females. Military cadets from Angola, especially females, presented low values of fat-free mass, cardiorespiratory fitness, and neuromuscular maximal performances (countermovement jump and sprint). This highlights a need for body composition and physical condition improvement to perform physical tasks with high military relevance.
Keywords
cadets, military, profile, body composition, physical fitness
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