Perfil físico da primeira turma feminina de Soldados Fuzileiros Navais

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The entry of women into the operational ranks of the Marine Corps faces challenges, including the need to adapt traditional military structures and cultures to ensure that physical differences do not affect the utilization and maintenance of combat power. OBJECTIVE: To verify the physical profile of the first female class of Marines during the Class I of 2024 training course. METHODS: Observational and longitudinal study. Female recruits (n=114), age: 19.4 ±1.1 years, height: 163.8 ±6.0cm, weight: 60.9 ±10kg, BMI: 23.2 ±3.15kg/cm². Anthropometric and physical performance assessments were carried out at three points during the course, TAF I, II and III. Physical performance data was also collected for males (n=606). Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the mean and standard deviation. After testing for normality, the variables were found to be non-parametric (p < 0.001), and the repeated measures ANOVA test was used to analyze whether there were significant differences in weight, BMI and % fat between the three TAFs. Subsequently, Multiple Comparison was used to see where the significant differences were. RESULTS: Although their body weight did not change statistically, they obtained good BMI values. The percentage of fat decreased significantly over the course. There was a considerable improvement in the time and number of repetitions in all the physical tests of the TAF, with the exception of swimming. As expected, men outperformed women in most of the physical events. CONCLUSION: Women during the training course were similar to the anthropometric standards of other Armed Forces around the world. However, it is important to implement training strategies aimed at reducing the difference in physical performance between males. We recommend further studies to portray the real capabilities required to fulfill operational tasks, and whether these differences between the sexes are really significant.