PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE, BODY COMPOSITION AND METABOLIC SYNDROME IN MILITARY PERSONNEL FROM THE BRAZILIAN ARMY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: The Brazilian Army (BA) considers Military Physical Training (MPT) essential for the development of physical conditioning and general health, including prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs), including metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors. The evaluation of body composition using dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) quantifies the visceral fat responsible for several types of disease. Objective: To verify the behavior among the body composition, anthropometric, hemodynamic and biochemical variables by means of the physical performance of military personnel with MS (W/MS) and without MS (NO/MS). Methods: The sample consisted of 41 (38.9 ± 2.3 years, 177.8 ± 6.4 cm, 91.5 ± 11.9 kg) military personnel, with 28 individuals diagnosed as W/MS and 13 individuals as NO/MS. Data collection was divided into three days. An anthropometric assessment was performed on the first day. On the second day, the subjects underwent biochemical tests of MS markers, blood pressure (BP) checks, and DXA examinations. On the third day, a physical assessment was applied according to the requirements of the BA (12-minute run, pushups and pullups). Results: There was a significant difference between W/MS and NO/MS subjects in the variables of HDL-C, Diastolic BP, Systolic BP and Waist Circumference. None of the physical variables presented a significant difference. There was also a significant difference between groups for all body composition and anthropometric variables. Conclusion: NO/MS subjects have better mean body composition, BP and anthropometric values than W/MS subjects, which may indicate that they are at less risk of CNCDs. The fact that the military subject is or is not a carrier of MS did not influence the performance of the tests applied. Level of Evidence I; Diagnostic studies - Investigation of a diagnostic test.