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The effect of the South African Defence Force (SADF) military training on recruits' muscular strength, power, power-endurance, speed and flexibility was investigated. In the entire study group, a significant enhancement by basic training was observed for the isokinetic muscular strength of the right elbow extensors alone (17% increase; P less than 0,05). Stratification of training responses on the basis of initial fitness levels revealed significant improvements with basic training for all measures of muscular strength, power, power-endurance and speed, but not flexibility, in the below-average fitness recruit. For all variables the training effect was transient and values documented on completion of 1 year's military training differed insignificantly from those recorded before conscription. In contrast, with the exception of elbow extensor muscular strength, fitness levels of the average and above-average recruits were not increased by basic training. While further research to assess physical requirements of various military work and emergency situations is needed to evaluate the desirability of this observed selective enhancement of recruit fitness levels during basic training, it is evident that greater emphasis should be placed on flexibility training, and physical conditioning after basic training.

The effect of caffeine administration on thermoregulatory and myocardial function during endurance performance was studied. A caffeine solution (250 ml; 5 mg caffeine/kg body weight) ingested 1 hour prior to 2 hours of running by 5 subjects was shown to have no significant effect on sweat loss, water deficit, percentage change in plasma volume, final rectal temperature and serum electrolyte levels, as compared with a similar control group who were given a caffeine-free drink. The rectal temperatures in both groups did, however, reach levels known to be associated with heatstroke despite a recommended regimen of fluid replacement. No pathological electrocardiographic changes occurred in either group. It is therefore concluded that the use of caffeine for ergogenic purposes by young athletes is a relatively safe procedure.

The effect of the South African Defence Force's (SADF) military training on the endurance fitness of recruits was investigated. Pre-military training maximal O2 consumption (53,14 ml/kg/min) did not change significantly during the study. In contrast, lactate turnpoint (ml O2/kg/min) and treadmill performance time were moderately enhanced (7,5% and 8% respectively; P less than 0,05) by the initial 10-week basic training programme. Further analysis of the results showed this endurance-training effect to be limited to recruits of average and, in particular, below-average fitness. The salutary effect of basic training on fitness levels was, however, transient, the values on completion of 1 year's military training being unaltered from those before conscription. This preliminary assessment of the SADF physical training programme suggests a need for the introduction of changes during and, in particular, after basic training.