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Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging
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Physical activity and body composition changes during military service.

Ilona Mikkola1, Jari J Jokelainen, Markku J Timonen

  • 1Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oulu, Finland. imatero@student.oulu.fi

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|August 7, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Military service significantly improves body composition by reducing fat mass and increasing lean mass, especially in previously inactive men with higher body mass index (BMI). These changes highlight the impact of lifestyle shifts during service.

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Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Military Medicine

Background:

  • Military service involves significant lifestyle changes, including altered diet and increased physical activity.
  • Understanding body composition changes during this period is crucial for optimizing health outcomes.
  • Previous physical activity levels may influence adaptation to military training.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate body composition changes in young Finnish men across different body mass index (BMI) categories during military service.
  • To determine the effect of self-reported prior physical activity on these body composition alterations.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1003 young men (19 years old) was monitored throughout 6-12 months of military service.
  • Body composition parameters including fat mass (FM), fat percentage (fat %), fat-free mass (FFM), visceral fat area (VFA), lean body mass (LBM), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were measured using bioelectrical impedance assessments (BIA).
  • Previous physical activity was assessed via questionnaire at the service's commencement.

Main Results:

  • On average, military training led to a decrease in weight (0.7%), FM (9.7%), fat % (6.6%), and VFA (43.4%).
  • Concurrently, FFM (1.3%), LBM (1.2%), and SMM (1.7%) increased.
  • Underweight and normal-weight individuals gained weight, FM, and FFM, while overweight and obese individuals lost weight and FM but gained FFM. Notably, FM reduction was most pronounced in overweight (20.8%) and obese (24.9%) men, with VFA decreasing across all BMI groups (38%-44%).
  • Overweight men reporting inactivity prior to service showed more favorable body composition changes compared to active individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Military service induces substantial reductions in fat tissue and increases in lean tissue.
  • These beneficial body composition adaptations are particularly pronounced in previously inactive individuals with a high BMI.