Enhancement of Physical and Combat Preparedness of SAF Members - Validation Study (EPCPSAF-2021)

University of Ljubljana

Status: Completed

Conditions: Aerobic Capacity; Physical Fitness; Combat Preparedness; Cardio Respiratory Fitness; Physical Examination

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Cardio Respiratory Fitness testing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05218798

EPCPSAF-2021-22-validation

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the proposed project is to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test in the Slovenian Armed Forces. We will compare the results obtained from a continuous treadmill running test, 2-mile run test, and 30-15IFT.

Full description

Since the ability to perform military tasks depends on the physical fitness of soldiers (PF), one of the most commonly measured PF components during routine physical examinations is cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). There are several tests used to measure CRF in the armed forces. Because of its simplicity, the most commonly used test of CRF is the 2-mile run test, but it has its own limitations when it comes to specificity of battlefield requirements, training prescription and optimization, and estimation of Vo2max. In combat situations, soldiers rarely run long distances on the battlefield. Therefore, the 2-mile run test does not appear to represent any specificity of combat. Furthermore, based on the data collected from this test, it is difficult to prescribe and optimize a training program for an individual subject. Therefore, the goal of the proposed project is to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test in the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Enrollment: 34 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Members of Slovenian Armed Forces with no acute and/or chronic neuromuscular and skeletal injuries and/or any other chronic disease or conditions.

Exclusion criteria

older than 45 years of age acute and/or chronic neuromuscular and skeletal injuries the existence of any chronic disease or condition

Trial design

Primary purpose: Screening

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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34 participants in 4 patient groups

Continous Treadmill Running Test

Active Comparator group

Description:

One of the four testing conditions the subject will be allocated to is a Continous Treadmill Running Test. Vo2max will be measured by using A K4 b2 a portable gas analyzer (COSMED, Italy). The device provides reliable values for oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and pulmonary ventilation (VE) breath by breath. In addition, blood samples (20 μL) were collected from the earlobe for both tests (before, immediately after, 3 min after, and 5 min after the test) and the samples will be analyzed for blood lactate concentration (\[LA-\]).

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Cardio Respiratory Fitness testing

Continous 2-mile run test

Active Comparator group

Description:

One of the four testing conditions the subject will be allocated to is a Continous 2-mile run test. Vo2max will be measured by using A K4 b2 a portable gas analyzer (COSMED, Italy). The device provides reliable values for oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and pulmonary ventilation (VE) breath by breath. In addition, blood samples (20 μL) were collected from the earlobe for both tests (before, immediately after, 3 min after, and 5 min after the test) and the samples will be analyzed for blood lactate concentration (\[LA-\]).

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Cardio Respiratory Fitness testing

30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test - first trial

Active Comparator group

Description:

Aerobic capacity will be measured using the field-based 30-15IFT test. This intermittent, incremental test consists of 30-second shuttle runs interspersed with 15-second active recovery periods. Running speed will be set at 8 km/h for the first 30-second run and increased by 0.5 km/h in each 30-second phase thereafter. The speed of the last successfully completed stage will be recorded as the test result, i.e. the maximum running speed (V) during IFT. Vo2max will be estimated by the following equation: Vo2max IFT (ml/min/kg) = 28.3 - 2.15G - 0.741A - 0.0357BM + 0.058A X VIFT + 1.03VIFT where G stands for subjects gender, A for age and BM for body mass, respectively.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Cardio Respiratory Fitness testing

30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test - second trial

Active Comparator group

Description:

The procedures will be the same as previously described

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Cardio Respiratory Fitness testing