Dietary Factors Related to Physical Fitness.
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between habitual dietary practices and performance on the physical readiness test required of all activity duty Navy personnel (OPNAV6110.1B). Participants were 1013 men (mean age =26.2 years) stationed aboard 9 Navy ships. The men completed a self report survey of lifestyle and dietary habits and were evaluated on four tests of physical fitness: 1.5-mile Run, Situps, Sit-reach, and Percent Body Fat. A standardized Overall Fitness score was also computed for each person. Results indicated that the participants tend to skip breakfast, ingest moderate amounts of caffeine, and favor a high-fat, low-fiber diet. Fitness scores were associated with a number of dietary variables, including caffeine intake, between-meal snacking, and overeating (all negatively related to fitness), and having a general nutrition orientation (positively related to fitness). Diet was a significant predictor of fitness, even after controlling for age, exercise, and smoking.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA190272
Entities
People
- Linda J. Dutton
- Terry L. Conway
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center