LONGITUDINAL TRENDS AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL-FITNESS AND LIFE-STYLE FACTORS IN CAREER US NAVY PERSONNEL (1983-1994)

This study examines long-term health and physical readiness trends in the U.S. Navy. We mailed lifestyle questionnaires to all participants in baseline studies between 1983 and 1989 who were still on active dut y in 1994. Commands provided body composition and physical readiness t est scores for the participants. Two longitudinal cohorts were created : an 8-year sample (N = 640) with matched data from 1986, 1989, and 19 94; and an 11-year sample (N = 1,576), with data from 1983 and 1994. A nalyses of both cohorts revealed significant improvements in cardiovas cular fitness, muscle strength, exercise, lean body mass, dietary habi ts, and sleep, as well as significant decreases in tobacco and alcohol use and job stress. However, hypertension rates, percentage of body f at, and body mass index increased over time. Women's scores were signi ficantly better than men's on a number of factors. Overall, these find ings suggest that the Navy's health promotion efforts have had a signi ficant positive effect on the fitness and health behaviors of career N avy men and women.