Lucija Bagarić-Krakan

Bio: Lucija Bagarić-Krakan is an academic researcher from University Hospital Centre Zagreb. The author has contributed to research in topics: Physical fitness & Strength training. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 10 citations.

Effects of two different 5 weeks training programs on the physical fitness of military recruits.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of programmed continuous endurance and relative strength training (CERS) with the basic military physical readiness training (BMPR) on the physical readiness. Croatian military recruits (21.3±1.9 years) were divided in the CERS (N=48) and BMPR (N=76) groups. Training sessions were conducted three times a week for a total of 5 weeks. The t-test determined positive training effects for both training programs. Significant positive changes in BMPR group were measured in almost all measured variables. In CERS group, besides the 20 m dash run, statistically significant positive changes were not determined in standing horizontal jump, pull-ups and sit and reach test. The positive training effects in both training groups were achieved because of the low initial physical readiness level of the recruits and a short training period in which the statistically significant differences between programs could not be achieved.

The Effects of Basic Fitness Parameters on the Implementation of Specific Military Activities

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether basic fitness parameters have the impact on the specific military activity such as walking 18km with 25kg of load. The members of Croatian Armed Forces (30 soldiers) were tested before the beginning of the training program. The study has included variables for the assessment of muscular endurance: push-ups in 2 minutes, sit-ups in 2 minutes, maximum number of pull-ups before dropping from the bar, bench press with 70% of body weight-max number of repetitions, max number of squats for 60 seconds, then the variables for the assessment of aerobic capacity: the 3200m run and relative oxygen uptake using the direct method of measurement on a treadmill as well as the variable for the assessment of body fat (body fat %). As the criterion variable, it was used the 18 km walking with 25 kg of load. The results of the regression analysis have shown statistically significant relation of predictor variables with the criterion variable. The two variables, 3200m run and RVO2 had a significant Beta coefficient. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded that great cardio-respiratory endurance has a much larger impact on the walking length of 18 km with a load of 25kg than other fitness parameters.

Criterion-Related Validity of the Distance- and Time-Based Walk/Run Field Tests for Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract: Objectives The main purpose of the present meta-analysis was to examine the criterion-related validity of the distance- and time-based walk/run tests for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness among apparently healthy children and adults. Materials and Methods Relevant studies were searched from seven electronic bibliographic databases up to August 2015 and through other sources. The Hunter-Schmidt’s psychometric meta-analysis approach was conducted to estimate the population criterion-related validity of the following walk/run tests: 5,000 m, 3 miles, 2 miles, 3,000 m, 1.5 miles, 1 mile, 1,000 m, ½ mile, 600 m, 600 yd, ¼ mile, 15 min, 12 min, 9 min, and 6 min. Results From the 123 included studies, a total of 200 correlation values were analyzed. The overall results showed that the criterion-related validity of the walk/run tests for estimating maximum oxygen uptake ranged from low to moderate (rp = 0.42–0.79), with the 1.5 mile (rp = 0.79, 0.73–0.85) and 12 min walk/run tests (rp = 0.78, 0.72–0.83) having the higher criterion-related validity for distance- and time-based field tests, respectively. The present meta-analysis also showed that sex, age and maximum oxygen uptake level do not seem to affect the criterion-related validity of the walk/run tests. Conclusions When the evaluation of an individual’s maximum oxygen uptake attained during a laboratory test is not feasible, the 1.5 mile and 12 min walk/run tests represent useful alternatives for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness. As in the assessment with any physical fitness field test, evaluators must be aware that the performance score of the walk/run field tests is simply an estimation and not a direct measure of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Health behavior of young adult men and the association with body composition and physical fitness during military service

Abstract: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents has increased worldwide at the population-level, reflecting inactive lifestyle and excessive energy intake. The comorbidities of obesity, e.g. impaired glucose tolerance and high blood pressure increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases. The first manifestation of cardiovascular diseases can be detected in young adulthood, and prevention should be focused to those at highest risk. This study was aimed to evaluate the changes in body weight and body composition, physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors, associated with physical exercise during military service. Furthermore, this study investigated the association of antenatal and lifestyle factors with the body composition and physical fitness among young men. The material of this study consisted of 1046 men (mean age 19.2 years) who began their compulsory military service in the Sodankylä Jaeger Brigade in 2005. The conscripts’ cardiometabolic risk factors, body weight, body composition, fitness, and lifestyle habits were evaluated at baseline and after 6–12 months military service. The data on the participants’ mothers’ antenatal and participants’ childhood period was available for 508 offsprings, who belonged to the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort. During the military service the prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased in the overall cohort from 6.1% to 3.6%, and the reduction was present among overweight and obese conscripts. The reduction in metabolic syndrome was associated with the reduction in waist circumference, weight loss and improvement in muscle fitness. Some lifestyle factors e.g. maternal smoking during pregnancy and conscripts’ smoking, alcohol consumption and binge drinking were associated with the conscripts’ body composition and fitness test results. Military service was especially beneficial for those reporting weekly binge drinking, who showed the greatest reduction in body weight and fat, and improvements in physical fitness and lifestyle habits. This study shows that unbeneficial lifestyle habits can be seen as detrimental to the body composition and fitness levels of young men. Furthermore, the physical exercise is in important role for reducing the metabolic syndrome, already present in young men. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with reduced aerobic fitness in the subjects, underlining its longstanding consequences on offspring’s health.

Physical fitness, hormonal, and immunological responses during prolonged military field training.

Abstract: Physical fitness is crucial to warfighters' performance in the battlefield Previous studies have shown negative changes in their hormonal and neuromuscular responses induced by military field training (MFT) The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in hormonal and immunological values and body composition during a prolonged MFT and to find out how warfighters' physical condition influences these changes Conscripts (n = 49, age 20 ± 1 years, height 179 ± 9 cm, body mass 738 ± 78 kg, fat 126 ± 37% and BMI 23 kg/m²) were measured before, during, after MFT, and after a 4-day recovery period Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations, creatine kinase (CK) activity and leptin concentration were analyzed as well as body composition throughout MFT Neuromuscular performance was assessed via lower and upper body muscle endurance at the beginning of the study During MFT, there was a significant decrease (P < 005) in body mass (23%), fat mass (77%) and in muscle mass (22%), but all of these values recovered to PRE-levels after the recovery period Serum IGF-1 (22%) and leptin decreased (66%) while CK increased (88%) significantly (P < 005) during MFT but recovered at the end of MFT Upper body dynamic and trunk isometric muscular endurance had a positive correlation (r = 037 P < 005) with the change in IGF-1 during MFT and a negative correlation with the changes in CK (-034, P < 005) The results show that there were negative changes in conscript's body composition and hormonal and immunological values during the prolonged MFT These changes suggest that the physiological stress was high during MFT High levels of upper body and trunk muscular strength were negatively correlated with warfighters' physiological effects and should therefore be developed prior to actual deployment to reduce the physical decline experienced during prolonged MFTs

Effects of Task-Specific and Strength Training on Simulated Military Task Performance in Soldiers.

Abstract: A soldier's occupational physical task requirements are diverse and varied. However, the type of physical training that most effectively improves soldiers' occupational task requirements has not been studied previously. The purpose of this study was to determine the important strength characteristics for soldiers during a repeated simulated military task course, and the type of training that may be effective to improve these abilities during a specialized military training period. Forty-two (n = 42) soldiers participated in the study. They were divided into three training groups; a soldier task-specific training group (TSG, n = 17), a strength training group (STG, n = 15), and a control group (CON, n = 10). Participants were measured before (PRE), middle (MID) and after (POST) the 12-week training intervention for strength performance and simulated military task test. Simulated military task performance improved significantly in TSG and STG between the PRE and MID measurements (from 9.4 to 15.7%). TSG and STG improved in various spilt times, especially in strength tasks; casualty drag (from 8.3 to 13.6%) and kettlebell carry (from 13.2 to 22.4%) between the PRE and MID measurements. The present study showed that both the training of TSG and STG were more effective than the training of CON (control group) in terms of improving the performance in the repeated simulated military task course. The present study showed that training of TSG was as effective as STG to improve repeated simulated military task course time. Therefore, an optimal training combination should include high-intensity simulated military task field training and strength training programmed with consideration of the military training phase and environmental possibilities.