<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Study aim</italic>: The purpose of this study was to evaluate neuromuscular adaptations in conscripts with different fitness levels (VO2max) during 8 weeks of military basic training (BT).<italic>Material and methods</italic>: Twenty-four male conscripts (18–21 years) were divided into two groups (Good Fitness [GF] and Low fitness [LF]) based on their VO2max at the beginning of BT. Body mass (BM), fat free mass (FFM) and Fat% were measured after 2, 4, and 7 weeks of training. VO2max, maximal isometric leg press force (MVC), H-reflex (Hmax/Mmax) at rest and V-wave (V/Mmax) during maximal isometric plantarflexion were measured from the soleus muscle at the beginning, after 5, and after 8 weeks of training.<italic>Results</italic>: FFM decreased significantly in LF after 7 weeks of training (–3.0 ± 1.7%, p &lt; 0.001), which was not observed in GF. Both GF (6.9 ± 4.6%, p &lt; 0.01) and LF (5.7 ± 4.6%, p &lt; 0.01) showed improved VO2max after 5 weeks, with no changes during the last 3 weeks. A main effect of training was observed in decreased leg press MVC (–7.3 ± 9.3%, F = 4.899, p &lt; 0.05), with no between-group differences. V-wave was significantly lower in LF during 5 (–37.9%, p &lt; 0.05) and 8 (–44.9%, p &lt; 0.05) weeks.<italic>Conclusion</italic>: Poor development of the neuromuscular system during BT suggests that explosive and/or maximal strength training should be added to the BT protocol for all conscripts regardless of fitness level. In addition, individualized training periodization should be considered to optimize the training load.</abstract>

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate neuromuscular adaptations in conscripts with different fitness levels (VO2max) during 8 weeks of military basic training (BT).Material and methods: Twenty-four male conscripts (18–21 years) were divided into two groups (Good Fitness [GF] and Low fitness [LF]) based on their VO2max at the beginning of BT. Body mass (BM), fat free mass (FFM) and Fat% were measured after 2, 4, and 7 weeks of training. VO2max, maximal isometric leg press force (MVC), H-reflex (Hmax/Mmax) at rest and V-wave (V/Mmax) during maximal isometric plantarflexion were measured from the soleus muscle at the beginning, after 5, and after 8 weeks of training.Results: FFM decreased significantly in LF after 7 weeks of training (–3.0 ± 1.7%, p < 0.001), which was not observed in GF. Both GF (6.9 ± 4.6%, p < 0.01) and LF (5.7 ± 4.6%, p < 0.01) showed improved VO2max after 5 weeks, with no changes during the last 3 weeks. A main effect of training was observed in decreased leg press MVC (–7.3 ± 9.3%, F = 4.899, p < 0.05), with no between-group differences. V-wave was significantly lower in LF during 5 (–37.9%, p < 0.05) and 8 (–44.9%, p < 0.05) weeks.Conclusion: Poor development of the neuromuscular system during BT suggests that explosive and/or maximal strength training should be added to the BT protocol for all conscripts regardless of fitness level. In addition, individualized training periodization should be considered to optimize the training load.

Effects of military basic training on VO2max, body composition, muscle strength and neural responses in conscripts of different aerobic condition

Neuromuscular Research Center, Biology of Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences

Biomedical Human Kinetics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effects of military basic training on VO, body composition, muscle strength and neural responses in conscripts of different aerobic condition

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate neuromuscular adaptations in conscripts with different fitness levels (VO2max) during 8 weeks of military...

Effects of military basic training on VO_2max, body composition, muscle strength and neural responses in conscripts of different aerobic condition

Published Online: Nov 20, 2019

Page range: 167 - 174

Received: May 07, 2019

Accepted: Nov 06, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2019-0023

Keywords
Aerobic fitness, Neuromuscular adaptation, Military training

© 2019 Kristiina Salo et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effects of military basic training on VO2max, body composition, muscle strength and neural responses in conscripts of different aerobic condition

Published Online: Nov 20, 2019

Page range: 167 - 174

Received: May 07, 2019

Accepted: Nov 06, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2019-0023

KeywordsAerobic fitness, Neuromuscular adaptation, Military training

© 2019 Kristiina Salo et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effects of military basic training on VO_2max, body composition, muscle strength and neural responses in conscripts of different aerobic condition

Keywords
Aerobic fitness, Neuromuscular adaptation, Military training