Association between physical fitness and psychological distress among Brazilian armed force personnel
- Aldair J. Oliveirac(Author),
- Geraldo A.Maranhão Netob(Author),
- Osmar D. Barrosd(Author),
- Rodrigo Pedreirob(Author),
- ,
- Antônio Carlos Ponce de Leond(Author)
- ,
- bUniversidade Salgado de Oliveira,
- cUniversidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro,
- dUniversidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro,
- eIntercontinental Neuroscience Research Group
Publication Information
Output type
Original language
EnglishPages from-to (Number of pages)
Pages 141-147 (7 pages)Journal (Volume, Issue Number)
Sport Sciences for Health (Volume 15, Issue 1)Publication milestones
- Published - 01/04/2019
Publication status
ISSN
1824-7490External Publication IDs
- Scopus: 85054417966
Abstract
Previous research suggests that physical fitness moderates the adverse effects of stressful life events. However, the relation between fitness and psychological distress needs to be explored, especially in armed force personnel. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical fitness and psychological distress among Brazilian armed force personnel. In this cross-sectional study, we measured physical fitness and psychological distress of 1252 subjects, using, respectively, field tests and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). After adjusting for confounders, statistically significant direct associations (p < 0.05) between physical fitness and psychological distress were found. Low levels of muscle endurance (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.2–2.3) and combined cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle endurance (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.2–3.0) were associated with greater psychological distress in the overall sample. In the operational group, low levels of muscle endurance (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.2–2.8), cardiorespiratory fitness (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.2–3.6) and combined cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle endurance (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.4–5.1) were also associated with greater psychological distress. On the other hand, no significant (p > 0.05) association was found for the non-operational group. Low levels of physical fitness were associated with greater psychological distress among armed force personnel, especially among those with operational status. These findings suggest that physical fitness is not only relevant for military functions but also for mental health.