Physical fitness level affects perception of chronic stress in military trainees. (13th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tuch, Carolin; Teubel, Thomas; La Marca, Roberto; Roos, Lilian; Annen, Hubert; Wyss, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Stress and health. Volume 33:Number 5(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 490
• Page End: 497
• Publication Date: 2016-12-13
• Subjects: military trainees -- military training -- perceived stress -- physical fitness; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Stress (Physiology) -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Stress -- Periodicals; Health -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Stress, Psychological -- Periodicals; Médecine et psychologie -- Périodiques; Stress -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 616.98
• DOI: 10.1002/smi.2732
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1532-3005

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated whether physical fitness affects the perception of chronic stress in military trainees while controlling for established factors influencing stress perception. The sample consisted of 273 men (20.23 ± 1.12 years, 73.56 ± 10.52 kg, 1.78 ± 0.06 m). Physical fitness was measured by progressive endurance run (maximum oxygen uptake; VO2 max), standing long jump, seated shot put, trunk muscle strength, and one leg standing test. Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire in Weeks 1 and 11 of basic military training (BMT). VO2 max and four influencing variables (perceived stress in Week 1, neuroticism, transformational leadership style, and education level) explained 44.44% of the variance of the increase in perceived stress during 10 weeks of BMT ( R 2 = 0.444, F = 23.334, p < .001). The explained variance of VO2 max was 4.14% ( R 2 = 0.041), with a Cohen's f 2 effect size of 0.045 (assigned as a small effect by Cohen, 1988 ). The results indicate a moderating influence of good aerobic fitness on the varied level of perceived stress. We conclude that it is advisable to provide conscripts with a specific endurance training program prior to BMT for stress prevention reasons.