Core Muscle Exercise in Routine Physical Training to Enhance the Physical Fitness of Thai Army Recruits, Special Warfare Center, Lopburi Province Thailand

Abstract

Introduction: Military physical fitness enhancement can offer numerous benefits. It provides a good basis for all types of tactical training. It also helps to develop and maintain endurance and reduces future risks of physical injuries. At present, various military studies have found that core muscle strength improves physical fitness and prevents low back pain symptoms. Nevertheless, no official study has been conducted about core muscle strengthening in a Thai military unit. Therefore, the research team aimed to study the effectiveness of core muscle exercise in routine physical training to enhance the physical fitness of Thai army recruits. Materials and Methods: A total of 292 volunteers, Thai army recruits, in a military training unit at the Special Warfare Center, Lopburi Province, were divided in two groups: the experimental group,146 volunteers performed 15-minute core muscle training before exercise in the evening once daily, 3 times weekly (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). The control group,146 volunteers, performed 15-minute basic physical exercise according to the standard program set up by the Royal Thai Army before daily evening exercise routine, 5 day weekly (Monday to Friday) for 8 weeks. During each exercise session, all volunteers were monitored by a trained Assistant trainer/instructor for accuracy. Physical fitness scores for both groups in weeks 1, 4 and 8 were compared. Result: The 4^th week of physical fitness test showed that the experimental group’s scores were significantly higher than those of the control group (pull up 6.5 ± 2.6 vs. 5.3 ± 3.2 p-value 0.005, push up 55.8 ± 12.0 vs. 52.2 ± 15.576 p-value 0.0035 and running 60.7 ± 17.3 vs. 53.7 ± 19.4 p-value 0.003, respectively). In the 8^th week, the experimental group’s scores were significantly higher than the control group (pull up 8.3 ± 3.2 vs. 7.0 ± 3.7 p-value 0.003, Sit up 63.7 ± 12.4 vs. 60.5 ± 12.0 p-value 0.035 and running 71.3 ± 11.6 vs. 67.5 ± 14.3 p-value 0.018, respectively) Conclusion: Core muscle exercise can effectively help to improve physical fitness in terms of pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and running.