Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of 1411 male conscripts by company
| Variable | Anti-tank | Signal | Mortar | Engineer | Missing | P-value1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of conscripts | 263 | 540 | 363 | 245 | 0 (0%) | - |
| Age, median, years | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 0 (0%) | 0.422 2 |
| Body mass index, median, kg/m2 | 23.4 | 22.6 | 23.3 | 23.6 | 139 (10%) | 0.003 2 |
| Waist circumference, median, cm | 87.0 | 84.9 | 85.6 | 87.0 | 101 (7%) | 0.001 2 |
| 12-minute run test result, median, m | 2310 | 2308 | 2500 | 2400 | 42 (3%) | <0.001 2 |
| Conscript’s physical fitness index (CPFI)4, median, points | 15.05 | 14.75 | 17.00 | 15.50 | 46 (3%) | <0.001 2 |
| Hometown population ≥ 10,000 persons,% | 59% | 66% | 59% | 57% | 24 (2%) | 0.044 3 |
| High level of education5,% | 48% | 38% | 49% | 35% | 22 (2%) | <0.001 3 |
| High level of previous physical activity6,% | 31% | 24% | 42% | 36% | 23 (2%) | <0.001 3 |
| Good self-assessed health7,% | 57% | 47% | 61% | 51% | 22 (2%) | <0.001 3 |
| Chronic impairment or disability,% | 17% | 15% | 16% | 17% | 27 (2%) | 0.802 3 |
| Clear musculoskeletal symptoms8,% | 28% | 32% | 26% | 27% | 23 (2%) | 0.339 3 |
| Previous or current regular smoker, % | 43% | 47% | 44% | 57% | 26 (2%) | 0.004 3 |
| Use of alcohol ≥ 3 times per week, % | 16% | 19% | 15% | 20% | 23 (2%) | 0.318 3 |
1P-value for difference between the companies.
2P-value was calculated using a Kruskal-Wallis test for median difference.
3P-value was calculated using χ2 statistics for difference.
4CPFI = (12-min running test result (metres) + 100 × muscle fitness test points) / 200, [Excellent (CPFI ≥ 21.00), Good (17.00 ≤ CPFI < 21.00), Fair good (13.00 ≤ CPFI < 17.00), Poor (CPFI < 13.00)].
5Graduated or studies in higher education institution.
6Sweating exercise at least three times per week during the last month before entering the military.
7Compared to age-mates.
8Symptoms lasting more than 7 days in at least one anatomical region during the last month before entering the military.