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Effectiveness of a Navy remedial exercise intervention
1Department of Sports Medicine, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME 04038, USA.
Military Medicine
|October 29, 2000
Summary
A 16-week Navy remedial exercise program (REP) effectively improved physical fitness by reducing body fat and enhancing aerobic capacity in personnel who failed readiness tests. Muscular endurance, however, showed no significant changes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Military Health
- Physical Fitness Assessment
Background:
- Many Navy personnel fail semiannual physical readiness tests, particularly in body composition and aerobic fitness.
- A structured remedial exercise program (REP) may be necessary to address these deficits.
- Identifying effective interventions is crucial for maintaining military readiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week Navy remedial exercise program (REP) on physical fitness.
- To assess changes in body composition and aerobic capacity among participants.
- To determine the program's impact on muscular endurance.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven Navy personnel failing physical readiness tests participated.
- The REP involved 16 weeks of supervised exercise, three 1-hour sessions weekly, focusing on running and walking.
- Paired t tests were used to analyze pre- and post-program fitness data.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in body weight (-3.1%) and body fat (-2.7% absolute loss) were observed.
- Aerobic fitness improved, evidenced by a 6.2% decrease in 1.5-mile run/walk time.
- No significant improvements were noted in muscular endurance (push-ups, curl-ups).
Conclusions:
- The 16-week Navy remedial exercise program is effective for improving body composition and aerobic fitness.
- The program successfully helped participants meet physical readiness standards.
- Further research may be needed to enhance muscular endurance components within remedial programs.