Changes in body composition of submarine crew during prolonged submarine deployment

Abstract

Introduction: Lack of physical activity is one of the major factor which affects crew health while onboard submarines at sea. Lack of physical activity along with increase in body weight and body fat content can lead to increase predisposition to lifestyle disorders in submarine crew. Materials and Methods: Omron Bioimpedance monitor to measure weight, body fat percentage and muscle mass of crew of a submarine while on a 26 days sortie. Pre-sailing and post-sailing measurements were compared and analysed using the student t test. Results: Mean weight of the submarine crew increased significantly by 0.5% from 70.71 kg on day 1 to 71.06 kg on day 25. BMI increased by 0.5% from 24.42 kg/m2 to 24.55 kg/m2. Mean fat percentage increased by 2.6% and muscle mass decreased by 0.7%. Discussion: Increased body fat along with lack of physical activity can lead to development of lifestyle disorders in submarine crew. These crew members need to be actively encouraged to participate in physical activity when in harbour. In addition dieting program specifically to encourage reduced fat consumption needs to be instituted in submarines during sorties at sea.

Keywords

• Physical exertion; Body fat; Adipose Tissue; Sedentary lifestyle; Lifestyle; Submarine Medicine