Patterns of periodization of adaptive and compensatory changes in body composition in students of military educational schools

BACKGROUND: The fundamental, basic nature and rich scientific tools developed as part of the concept of biological rhythms can be extrapolated from the study of body composition to interpret its variability.

AIM: The work aimed to analyze published evidence and research findings and identify patterns of periodization of changes in body composition during training in military educational schools.

METHODS: The work was based on a supporting review and a research conducted by Gaivoronsky et al. at a higher military educational school. A linked sample of 387 male and 27 female students aged 17–23 years (first to sixth years) who had completed their studies between 2017 and 2023 was evaluated. Body composition was measured using the Tanita MC-780 MA body composition analyzer.

RESULTS: Two rhythms responsible for the patterns of adaptive and compensatory changes in body composition were identified. The “relative rest” rhythm includes fat component, total fat mass, visceral fat, and metabolic age. The “physical activity and cognitive load” rhythm comprises muscle mass, fat-free mass, and sarcopenia index. This rhythm is characterized by acrophase that occurs during the cycle periods associated with the highest functional stress levels, regardless of the chronological length of the biological cycle. This is the time of physical and mental stress in the day schedule, luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (in females), summer season, and first 2 years of study in the military educational school. The “relative rest” rhythm is characterized by acrophase that occurs during the cycle periods associated with minimal functional stress. These periods include the time of awakening in the day schedule, menstruation (in females), the winter season, and year 4–5 of study in the military educational school.

CONCLUSION: Subsequent expansion of the scientific discourse will prioritize the development of indices derived from the periodization of changes in body composition to address prediction, monitoring, and screening.