Resumen de Cardiovascular and Neuromuscular Performance Responses Induced by 8 Weeks of Basic Training Followed by 8 Weeks of Specialized Military Training
Matti Santtila, Keijo Häkkinen, Bradley C. Nindl, Heikki Kyröläinen
The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in cardiovascular and neuromuscular performances induced by 8 weeks of basic training (BT) period followed by 8 weeks of special training period (STP). Fifty-seven male soldiers (age: 19.2 ± 0.9 years, height: 1.79 ± 0.06 m, body mass: 73.8 ± 12.4 kg) volunteered for tests of peak oxygen uptake ([latin capital V with dot above]O2peak) and maximal bilateral isometric force of the leg and arm extensor muscles. During the first 8 weeks, [latin capital V with dot above]O2peak increased by 5.6% (45.0 ± 8 vs. 48.8 ± 7 ml·kg-1·min-1), but no further changes were observed during the next 8 weeks (49.1 ± 8 ml·kg-1·min-1). Maximal isometric force of the arm and leg extensors increased during the first 8 weeks (arm: 680 ± 182 vs. 774 ± 182 N; leg: 2,584 ± 724 vs. 2,730 ± 823 N) by 3.8% (p < 0.001) and 8.1% (p < 0.001), respectively, with no further increases by week 16 (arm: 718 ± 170 N; leg: 2,679 ± 967 N). Body fat percentage (pre: 10.4 ± 4, post-BT: 9.0 ± 4, post-STP: 9.3 ± 3%), and waist circumference decreased (83.4 ± 10, 80.9 ± 8, 80.8 ± 7 cm) during BT, whereas no changes were noticed thereafter. In conclusion, it was found that physical fitness of conscripts improved significantly during the Finnish military 8-week BT at the beginning of their military service. A plateau in the improvement of physical performance during STP is largely attributed to a lack of continued progression or periodization in their training program. For optimal improvements in physical performance during STP, it might be reasonable to include a structured physical training with greater intensity and training volume with optimal periodization than during BT.
