Effect of body composition on the neuromuscular function of Finnish conscripts during an 8-week basic training period

The dropout rate in the Finnish military service has increased during the past two decades. At the same time, the physical fitness level of young Finnish males has decreased, possibly leading to overtraining in new conscripts. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether body composition would influence neuromuscular function during the 8-week basic training (BT) period. Eighteen healthy male subjects (19 +/- 1 years) were divided into three different groups according to their body fat %. Group 1 (<10%), group 2 (10-13%) and group 3 (>13%). The soleus H-reflex response was measured in the standing position. In the seated position (knee 160 degrees and hip 110 degrees), the V-wave response was measured during maximal voluntary contraction, and the single twitch response was measured in passive conditions. In body composition (fat-free mass and fat mass) was observed small but not significant changes during 8-week period. H-reflex activity increased in groups 2 (10.9% not significant [ns]) and 3 (2.8% ns) but decreased in group 1 (-34.8%, p < 0.05) during the 8-week period. V-wave values decreased in all groups, and the biggest decrement was observed in group 2 (-34.7%, p < 0.05), whereas in group 1 and group 3 no significance was observed. For each group the single twitch torque (G1 ns, G2 and G3 p < 0.05) increased during the 8-week period. The major finding of the study was that the BT period did not cause overtraining in conscripts. Increased activity of the H-reflex and single twitch torque supports this finding. V-wave activity was decreased in all groups, which may also indicate that the training did not stimulate neural activity. In general, the observed changes in neuromuscular system supports the main finding.