The Effect of an Intensity Interval Training (Hit) on the Fitness and Body Composition of the Military Personnel

Background and Aim: Fitness for military forces has been considered as a priority which helps them in achieving all mission goals and eventually increases their physical capabilities. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of intensity interval training (HIT) on the fitness and body composition of the military personnel.

Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study. In this study, 30 employees attended a military center in Kerman. They were randomly assigned into two experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. For a period of 6 weeks (3 sessions per week), the intervention group attended in an intensive interval training protocol which included 3 sets of ham (6 stages which were 35 meters with 10 seconds rest between each stage) with four minutes rest between each set in the first week. These sets were eventually increased until the fourth week of the training. In order to compare the variables, ANCOVA analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.

Results: The results showed that weight (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.001), body fat percentage (p=0.001), waist circumference (p=0.003) and hip circumference (p=0.001), a significant reduction in maximum oxygen consumption (p=0.001), power (p=0.001) and agility (p=0.003) significantly increased in the exercise group relative to the control. It was also shown that systolic blood pressure values (p=0.028) and diastolic (p=0.015) did not significantly change.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study we can conclude that military forces can fit HIT training in their sport programs to enhance their physical fitness and improve their body composition.