Résumé
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. 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. 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]. 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.
Résumé
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia [CAH] refers to a group of congenital conditions characterized by disordered cortisol synthesis. The correlation between CAH and sports performance has been less studied before and there is very limited information regarding the impacts of this congenital disease on sports performance. Probably, there are some limitations for patients who suffer from CAH in sports, but at the same time, they may enjoy some advantage due to the probable effect of endogenous hyperandrogenism on their exercise performance. The case is a 14 - year old girl with male phenotype who is a known case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. She plays in the women's national soccer team of under 16. She has been in the first division league of indoor soccer for 4 years and was also selected in the preparation training camp of women's football team for Singapore's youth Olympic Games. Her illness and dependence on corticosteroid have caused some concerns for her participation in the international competitions of women. However, following consultations with the Therapeutic Use Exemption [TUE] Committee of games organization, she received TUE to use corticosteroid only within the games period. Despite all her problems, she is now playing in the Second Division League of indoor soccer. A female adolescent with CAH may compete at the high level of outdoor and indoor soccer. However, there are many questions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of this congenital disorder and its treatment on sports related issues