<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Study aim: To determine the level of physical fitness and aerobic capacity of Polish military fighter aircraft pilots.
Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 120 Polish military fighter aircraft pilots (men). The average age of subject was 37.13 ± 5.42 years. For further analysis, the pilots were divided into three age groups: under 29, aged 30–39, and 40–49. Age criteria were adopted according to the classification used by the American Heart Association. A physical fitness test (seven skills) was used to determine the level of physical fitness of pilots. The Åstrand-Ryhming test and a MONARK cycling ergometer were used to determine the level of aerobic capacity.
Results: The pilots obtained the following average results during the physical fitness test: push-ups on a bench – 37.7 reps; shuttle run 10 × 10 m – 30.3 s; pull-ups – 9.1 reps; sit-ups – 54 reps; standing long jump – 228.5 cm; zigzag pattern run – 25.8 s; 50 m swimming – 49.2 s. The physical fitness of military pilots decreases with age. The average level of aerobic capacity of military pilots was estimated at 33.73 ± 5.62 VO2max (ml/kg/min).
Conclusions: Polish military fighter aircraft pilots are characterized by a medium level of physical fitness and a medium level of aerobic capacity. The level of aerobic capacity is lower currently than 30 years ago. It is a perturbing and negative phenomenon.</abstract>

Study aim: To determine the level of physical fitness and aerobic capacity of Polish military fighter aircraft pilots.
Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 120 Polish military fighter aircraft pilots (men). The average age of subject was 37.13 ± 5.42 years. For further analysis, the pilots were divided into three age groups: under 29, aged 30–39, and 40–49. Age criteria were adopted according to the classification used by the American Heart Association. A physical fitness test (seven skills) was used to determine the level of physical fitness of pilots. The Åstrand-Ryhming test and a MONARK cycling ergometer were used to determine the level of aerobic capacity.
Results: The pilots obtained the following average results during the physical fitness test: push-ups on a bench – 37.7 reps; shuttle run 10 × 10 m – 30.3 s; pull-ups – 9.1 reps; sit-ups – 54 reps; standing long jump – 228.5 cm; zigzag pattern run – 25.8 s; 50 m swimming – 49.2 s. The physical fitness of military pilots decreases with age. The average level of aerobic capacity of military pilots was estimated at 33.73 ± 5.62 VO2max (ml/kg/min).
Conclusions: Polish military fighter aircraft pilots are characterized by a medium level of physical fitness and a medium level of aerobic capacity. The level of aerobic capacity is lower currently than 30 years ago. It is a perturbing and negative phenomenon.

Physical fitness and aerobic capacity of Polish military fighter aircraft pilots

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty in Biała Podlaska, Poland

Biomedical Human Kinetics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Physical fitness and aerobic capacity of Polish military fighter aircraft pilots"}

Study aim: To determine the level of physical fitness and aerobic capacity of Polish military fighter aircraft pilots.
Material and methods: The study was...

Physical fitness and aerobic capacity of Polish military fighter aircraft pilots

Published Online: Oct 07, 2016

Page range: 117 - 123

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bhk-2016-0017

Keywords
Military pilots, Physical fitness, Aerobic capacity

© University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Physical fitness and aerobic capacity of Polish military fighter aircraft pilots

Published Online: Oct 07, 2016

Page range: 117 - 123

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bhk-2016-0017

KeywordsMilitary pilots, Physical fitness, Aerobic capacity

© University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Military pilots, Physical fitness, Aerobic capacity