Body mass index and composition in physical preparedness of Iranian military personnel

  Purpose: Military personnel are expected to maintain the highest possible level of physical   fitness to do their duties. Several factors including body composition and body mass index   affect the level of their physical preparedness. The current study was designed to investigate   the effect of body composition and body mass index in the level of physical preparedness of   Iranian military personnel.   Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 255 Iranian military personnel were   randomly selected. After becoming ensured of the good health of participants, their weight,   height and body mass index was determined. The body composition was defined by bioelectrical   impedance analysis. Maximum aerobic capacity and metabolic equivalent was estimated using   the Bruce treadmill test. Maximum muscle strength in the trunk and lower extremities was   measured by the back dynamometer and flexibility was measured by the sit and reach box.   Results: Maximum aerobic capacity, metabolic equivalents, maximum muscle strength adjusted   for weight and flexibility had significant negative correlations with percentage of body fat   (r = -.172 to -.533) and body mass index (r = -.302 to -.504). Thus the studied factors (excluding   flexibility) had more significant association with body fat. There was no significant correlation   between pure maximum muscle strength (not adjusted for weight) and body mass index (r = .28,   P = .658).   Conclusion: The percentage of body fat and body mass index affect several health-related   physical fitness factors including aerobic capacity, metabolic equivalents, flexibility and maximum   muscle strength adjusted for weight but not pure maximum muscle strength in military personnel.