Characteristics of Morphofunctional State of Paratrooper Cadets in the Process of CrossFit Training

Abstract

The CrossFit training’s influence on the morphofunctional state (morphological and functional indicators) of cadets who are the future officers of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces is studied in the paper. The research was conducted at the Odesa Military Academy (Ukraine) at the Faculty of Air Assault Forces training in 2018-2020. 90 male cadets took part in the research. We formed two groups: experimental group (EG, N=45), the cadets of which were training in the academy CrossFit classes during sports and mass work, and control group (CG, N=45), the cadets of which were training according to the traditional classes of physical training. The morphological (conditional) indicators of cadets were assessed in terms of such indicators as height, body weight, handgrip test, body mass index, power index. Their functional state was examined in terms of the following indicators: heart rate at rest, blood pressure, vital capacity, life index, Robinson index, and heart rate recovery after physical activity. The positive influence of CrossFit classes on the morphofunctional state of paratrooper cadets was established. In senior years of study, the indicators of the cadets of EG were significantly (р<0.05-0.001) more advanced than those of the cadets of CG by all indicators studied. The most pronounced influence of CrossFit training was found in terms of the indicators of the cardiovascular system, body weight, and power qualities of cadets. A high level of the morphofunctional state of future officers of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces in the educational process will increase the efficiency of the future combat activity.