Accession Number:

ADA230435

Title:

Body Composition in Military Services: Standards & Methods

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER SAN DIEGO CA

Personal Author(s):

• Hodgdon, J. A.

Report Date:

1990-09-28

Pagination or Media Count:

18.0

Abstract:

This paper deals with two topics The development of body composition standards in the U.S. Navy and the methods of body composition assessment in use by the military Services today. In 1981, the Services were directed to develop body composition and fat standards consistent with the mission of the Services. Three concerns were outlined which dictated the establishment of weight control policy 1 body composition was an integral part of physical fitness 2 body composition is a determinant of appropriate military appearance and 3 body composition is a determinant of general health and well- being of military personnel. Each of these three concerns was explored as a basis for setting standards for body composition in the Navy. Our investigations of relationships between body composition variables and performance of materials handling tasks suggest that percent body fat is not strongly related to such performance. Estimated fat-free mass, on the other hand, is highly correlated with strength and the ability to lift objects.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• SETTING(ADJUSTING)
• POLICIES
• VARIABLES
• WEIGHT
• ADIPOSE TISSUE
• HUMAN BODY
• PHYSICAL FITNESS
• FATS
• LIFT
• MATERIALS HANDLING
• CONTROL
• STANDARDS

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE