Mood (Psychological Function), Motivation, Motor Activity, Physical Activity, Wounds and Injuries
Conditions
Keywords
Army, Sport, Physical Fitness, Injuries, Psychological Tests, Attrition
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the new sport concept of the Swiss Armed Forces influences the physical and psychological fitness of the recruits.
Detailed description
The physical and psychological demands in the Swiss Army basic military service are high. Injury incidences in Swiss Army training schools are higher than in armed forces of other countries.There is evidence that progressive loading of physical demands at the beginning of basic military service and specific physical training can reduce injury incidences and attrition rates. A new sport concept by the Swiss Army takes into account these results of previous studies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the influences of this new sport concept on the physical and psychological fitness as well as on the injury and attrition rates of the recruits.
Interventions
OTHERSwiss Army Physical Fitness Training
2 x 90 minutes strength training and sport games and 2 x 30 minutes endurance training per week during 18 weeks of basic military training
Sponsors
Swiss Armed Forces
Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Recruits of the Swiss Army rescue training schools 75 2/2015 and 3/2015
Exclusion criteria
* None
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Participants With Injuries | During the basic military training (18 weeks) | All injuries which are registered in the patient's medical record are collected and classified. A classification system which takes into account anatomical site, circumstances of the accident, and severity of the injury is used. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological Questionnaires | Weeks 2, 10 and 16 of the basic military training | 2 questionaires concerning resilience were used: The Resilience Scale 11 (Schumacher, Leppert, Gunzelmann, Strauss & Brähler, 2005) and the Brief Resilience Scale (Smith, Dalen, Wiggings, Tooley, Christopher & Bernard, 2008). A mean was calculated for each time point. The total score ranges from 1 (worst result) to 7 (best result). |
| Military Performance According to Military Marks | During the basic military training (18 weeks) | Military marks are given by superior Army personnel. The total score ranges from 1 (insufficient) to 5 (excellent). In total, three marks are given during the whole basic military training (after 7, 11 and 16 weeks). Data from those three time points are combined in a single value (mean). |
| Questionnaire About Health and Physical Activities | Week 1 of the basic military training and 3 months after finishing the basic military training | — |
| Attrition Rate | During the whole basic military training (18 weeks) | Withdrawals from the military service are reported by the training school's secretariat |
| Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB) | Weeks 2, 10 and 16 of the basic military training | Physical Fitness is measured with the Swiss physical fitness test battery (SPFTB). The SPFTB contains a progressive endurance run, a trunk muscle strength test, a standing long jump, a seated shot put, and a one-leg standing test. From the results of those performance tests (0 to 25 points each), a total fitness score is calculated (sum of all points). The minimum total score (worst result) is 0 points, the maximum total score (best result) is 125 points. A detailed description of the SPFTB can be found in the publication of Wyss, Marti, Rossi, Kohler and Mäder (2007). |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Distance Covered on Foot | Weeks 2 - 9 of the basic military training | Daily distance covered on foot was measured using two accelerometers and one heart rate sensor. Data from weeks 2-9 of the basic military were combined and a single value (mean) was calculated for each group. |
| Daily Energy Expenditure | Weeks 2 - 9 of the basic military training | Daily energy expenditure was measured using two accelerometers and one heart rate sensor. Data from weeks 2-9 of the basic military were combined and a single value (mean) was calculated for each group. |
| Questionnaire About Sport Lessons | During the whole basic military training (18 weeks) | Duration of each sport session was registered in a questionnaire by the military personnel. The minimum would be 0 minutes of sport per week, for the maximum the scale is open-ended. Data of sport lessons during the whole basic military are combined and presented as a mean value for each group. |
Countries
Switzerland
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training Sport according to the new sport concept (Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training) of the Swiss Armed Forces
Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training: 2 x 90 minutes strength training and sport games and 2 x 30 minutes endurance training per week during 18 weeks of basic military training | 375 |
| Traditional Sport Concept Sport according to the traditional sport concept of the Swiss Armed Forces | 347 |
| Total | 722 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Traditional Sport Concept | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Customized 18-25 years | 375 participants | 347 participants | 722 participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized male | 375 participants | 347 participants | 722 participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | — / — | — / — |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 375 | 0 / 347 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 375 | 0 / 347 |
Outcome results
Primary
Number of Participants With Injuries
All injuries which are registered in the patient's medical record are collected and classified. A classification system which takes into account anatomical site, circumstances of the accident, and severity of the injury is used.
Time frame: During the basic military training (18 weeks)
Population: The overall number of participants analyzed is smaller than the corresponding numbers in the participant flow module, because only participants who finished the whole 18-weeks basic military training were included in the analysis.
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Number of Participants With Injuries | 184 participants with injuries |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Number of Participants With Injuries | 172 participants with injuries |
Secondary
Attrition Rate
Withdrawals from the military service are reported by the training school's secretariat
Time frame: During the whole basic military training (18 weeks)
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Attrition Rate | 45 participants |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Attrition Rate | 41 participants |
Secondary
Military Performance According to Military Marks
Military marks are given by superior Army personnel. The total score ranges from 1 (insufficient) to 5 (excellent). In total, three marks are given during the whole basic military training (after 7, 11 and 16 weeks). Data from those three time points are combined in a single value (mean).
Time frame: During the basic military training (18 weeks)
Population: The overall number of participants analyzed is smaller than the corresponding number in the participant flow module, because only participants from whom military marks were available for the whole basic military training were included in the analysis.
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Military Performance According to Military Marks | 3.06 units on a scale 1-5 | Standard Deviation 0.37 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Military Performance According to Military Marks | 2.91 units on a scale 1-5 | Standard Deviation 0.31 |
Secondary
Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB)
Physical Fitness is measured with the Swiss physical fitness test battery (SPFTB). The SPFTB contains a progressive endurance run, a trunk muscle strength test, a standing long jump, a seated shot put, and a one-leg standing test. From the results of those performance tests (0 to 25 points each), a total fitness score is calculated (sum of all points). The minimum total score (worst result) is 0 points, the maximum total score (best result) is 125 points. A detailed description of the SPFTB can be found in the publication of Wyss, Marti, Rossi, Kohler and Mäder (2007).
Time frame: Weeks 2, 10 and 16 of the basic military training
Population: The overall number of participants analyzed is smaller than the corresponding number in the participant flow module, because only participants who completed all three fitness tests were included in the analysis.
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB) | fitness test week 2 | 73.54 units on a scale from 0 to 125 | Standard Deviation 12.83 |
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB) | fitness test week 10 | 81.78 units on a scale from 0 to 125 | Standard Deviation 11.27 |
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB) | fitness test week 16 | 72.84 units on a scale from 0 to 125 | Standard Deviation 13.43 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB) | fitness test week 2 | 73.56 units on a scale from 0 to 125 | Standard Deviation 11.55 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB) | fitness test week 10 | 77.16 units on a scale from 0 to 125 | Standard Deviation 10.85 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Physical Fitness Measured With the Swiss Physical Fitness Test Battery (SPFTB) | fitness test week 16 | 65.05 units on a scale from 0 to 125 | Standard Deviation 12.29 |
Secondary
Psychological Questionnaires
2 questionaires concerning resilience were used: The Resilience Scale 11 (Schumacher, Leppert, Gunzelmann, Strauss & Brähler, 2005) and the Brief Resilience Scale (Smith, Dalen, Wiggings, Tooley, Christopher & Bernard, 2008). A mean was calculated for each time point. The total score ranges from 1 (worst result) to 7 (best result).
Time frame: Weeks 2, 10 and 16 of the basic military training
Population: The overall number of participants analyzed is smaller than the corresponding number in the participant flow module, because only participants who the psychological questionnaires at all three time points were included in the analysis.
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Psychological Questionnaires | Resilience week 2 | 4.96 units on a scale 1-7 | Standard Deviation 1.09 |
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Psychological Questionnaires | Resilience week 10 | 5.24 units on a scale 1-7 | Standard Deviation 1.05 |
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Psychological Questionnaires | Resilience week 16 | 5.36 units on a scale 1-7 | Standard Deviation 0.85 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Psychological Questionnaires | Resilience week 2 | 5.14 units on a scale 1-7 | Standard Deviation 0.75 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Psychological Questionnaires | Resilience week 10 | 5.46 units on a scale 1-7 | Standard Deviation 0.8 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Psychological Questionnaires | Resilience week 16 | 5.48 units on a scale 1-7 | Standard Deviation 0.82 |
Secondary
Questionnaire About Health and Physical Activities
Time frame: Week 1 of the basic military training and 3 months after finishing the basic military training
Population: The overall number of participants analyzed is smaller than the corresponding number in the participant flow module, because only participants who completed the questionnaire at both time points were included in the analysis.
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Questionnaire About Health and Physical Activities | Week 1 of basic military training | 969.19 Minutes of physical activity per week | Standard Deviation 1171.67 |
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Questionnaire About Health and Physical Activities | 3 months after basic military training | 1251.37 Minutes of physical activity per week | Standard Deviation 2297.4 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Questionnaire About Health and Physical Activities | Week 1 of basic military training | 717.69 Minutes of physical activity per week | Standard Deviation 936.98 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Questionnaire About Health and Physical Activities | 3 months after basic military training | 845.02 Minutes of physical activity per week | Standard Deviation 1088.23 |
Other Pre-specified
Daily Distance Covered on Foot
Daily distance covered on foot was measured using two accelerometers and one heart rate sensor. Data from weeks 2-9 of the basic military were combined and a single value (mean) was calculated for each group.
Time frame: Weeks 2 - 9 of the basic military training
Population: The overall number of participants analyzed is smaller than the corresponding number in the participant flow module, because only an exemplary sample of 40 participants per group were chosen to wear the sensors due to financial reasons.
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Daily Distance Covered on Foot | 15.66 km per day | Standard Deviation 1.77 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Daily Distance Covered on Foot | 14.22 km per day | Standard Deviation 1.86 |
Other Pre-specified
Daily Energy Expenditure
Daily energy expenditure was measured using two accelerometers and one heart rate sensor. Data from weeks 2-9 of the basic military were combined and a single value (mean) was calculated for each group.
Time frame: Weeks 2 - 9 of the basic military training
Population: The overall number of participants analyzed is smaller than the corresponding number in the participant flow module, because only an exemplary sample of 40 participants per group were chosen to wear the sensors due to financial reasons.
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Daily Energy Expenditure | 12.02 Megajoule per day | Standard Deviation 0.65 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Daily Energy Expenditure | 10.45 Megajoule per day | Standard Deviation 0.84 |
Other Pre-specified
Questionnaire About Sport Lessons
Duration of each sport session was registered in a questionnaire by the military personnel. The minimum would be 0 minutes of sport per week, for the maximum the scale is open-ended. Data of sport lessons during the whole basic military are combined and presented as a mean value for each group.
Time frame: During the whole basic military training (18 weeks)
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Army Physical Fitness Training | Questionnaire About Sport Lessons | 182.53 minutes of sport per week | Standard Deviation 62.72 |
| Traditional Sport Concept | Questionnaire About Sport Lessons | 113.17 minutes of sport per week | Standard Deviation 72.7 |