Abstract:
Background: An important determinant of the profession of a soldier is maintaining a high level of physical fitness, which is periodically tested in the army. In order to maintain high physical fitness, one should regularly undertake physical activity of varying intensity, both during professional work and in free time. In principle, a soldier should be characterized by high physical activity. The aim of the study was to assess the level of physical activity of various types of troops (militaries) of the Polish Armed Forces.
Materials and Methods: The study involved 1148 soldiers from 3 types of troops: 394 soldiers from the Army, 508 from the Air Force and 98 from the Navy. The average age of the soldiers studied was 32.5±2.5 years. The research method used was the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Polish version, developed by the team of E. Biernat, R. Stupnicki, A.K. Gajewski and published in 2007. Metabolic Equivalent (MET) was calculated for individual forms of physical activity (work, moving, housework, recreation). Based on the MET value, intensity of physical effort and frequency of physical effort, three levels of physical activity were determined: high, sufficient, insufficient. Thousand questionnaires (85% of all questionnaires) were qualified for analysis, because the remaining (15%) did not meet the credibility criteria.
Results: A high level of physical activity was revealed by 86% of all soldiers, 11% a sufficient level, and 3% insufficient. The average value of the overall MET was 13,710. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups of soldiers studied. Taking into account the individual types of troops, among land forces soldiers a high level of physical activity was revealed by 91%, sufficient by 8%, and insufficient by 1%. On the other hand, among air force soldiers 81% revealed a high level, 15% sufficient, and 4% insufficient. A similar level of physical activity was revealed among navy soldiers, i.e. 81% high level, 12% sufficient, and 7% insufficient. The worst results were achieved by navy soldiers.
Conclusions: Accepting the IPAQ criteria, it was found that the soldiers studied generally declare a high level of physical activity. This indicates that most soldiers have a proper approach to a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, it is a disturbing phenomenon that there remains a few percent group of soldiers who have been found to have an insufficient level of physical activity. Such a situation should not occur in the army. In relation to this group of soldiers, preventive measures should be taken to increase awareness of the role of physical activity in human life. In addition, for this group of soldiers and soldiers with a sufficient level of physical activity, it is necessary to introduce health training classes.
