Physical Fitness Results of Soldiers Of Different Age Groups in the Land Force of the Lithuanian Professional Armed Forces in 2010–2011

Abstract

Research background and hypothesis. Since 2009 Lithuanian Armed Forces have been formed from soldiers in
professional service. Research on military physical fitness in the Lithuanian Armed Forces is scarce. This research
aims  at  verifying  the  hypothesis  that  physical  fitness  indices  of  soldiers  in  the  Land  Force  of  the  professional
Lithuanian Armed Forces match the established physical fitness normative requirements.
Research aim was to study peculiarities of changes in physical fitness results of soldiers of different age groups in
the Land Force of the Lithuanian Professional Armed Forces in the period of two years.
Research  methods:  literature  review,  physical  fitness  testing,  statistical  analysis  of  physical  fitness  indices.
Results in each physical fitness exercise were evaluated in points according to physical fitness normative scales. The
sum of points for all exercises was the final physical fitness evaluation result.
Research results. In the period of half a year, from spring to autumn and from autumn to spring, physical fitness
of soldiers in all age groups changed only slightly (p > 0.05). During the period of one year, from testing in spring
till testing in spring of the following year, physical fitness indices improved (p < 0.05). Even 2–4% of soldiers failed
physical fitness normative tests.
Discussion and conclusions. Physical fitness indices of different exercise for soldiers in the Land Force of
the professional Lithuanian Armed Forces were higher than the established minimal normative requirements. The
highest physical fitness indices were achieved in the age groups of 18–21, 22–26, 27–31 and 30–36 years, however,
the differences between the age groups were insignificant.
In perspective, while developing military physical fitness control system, the evaluation of physical fitness
should be differentiated according to the normative scale which includes such evaluations as “excellent”, “good”,  “fair”.

Keywords: Land Force, physical fitness, testing, physical fitness test, age group, points.