Effects of basic training on acute physiological responses to a combat loaded run test.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of an 8-week basic training (BT) with added strength training (ST) or endurance training (ET) on both the performance of a 3K-combat loaded run test and the acute neuromuscular and hormonal responses. All training groups improved (p < 0.001) their run-test times: ST by 12.4%, ET by 11.6%, and normal training (NT) by 10.2%. Significant acute decreases were observed in maximal isometric force of leg extensors (p < 0.01-0.05) in all subject groups following the run. Increases were observed in acute testosterone responses (p < 0.001) after the test in all groups both at pre- and post-training. However, ET and NT demonstrated lower (p < 0.001-0.05) acute post-training serum cortisol responses than ST. In conclusion, the present results indicate that within a demanding BT, the added training for ET and especially ST may be compromised in their adaptation potential due to interference from the demands of BT.