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.