Article
Tactical Masters Athletes: BMI Index Classifications
Sports
(2022)
Abstract
Understanding the nexus between aging, physical activity, and obesity has been a source of
ongoing investigation. A considerable amount of research has focused on Masters athletes in this
regard, suggesting a beneficial relationship between Masters sport participation and a healthy body
mass index (BMI). Some consider Active Duty military personnel as tactical athletes. As such, it is of
interest to determine if aging Active Duty military personnel (or Masters Tactical Athletes) might
have a similar BMI as other Masters athletes (MA). As such, this investigation examined previously
recorded data of Active Duty Enlisted United States Marines (n = 402, male, 46–50 years old). The
BMI of the Marines was stratified into categories of: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese.
The Marines obesity prevalence was compared to US adult males (40–59 years) as well as male
North American MA who competed at the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games. The Marines obesity
prevalence was significantly lower than US adult males (p < 0.001) and those MA that competed in
softball (p < 0.001); however, it was similar to MA that competed in football, track/field, swimming,
and volleyball (p > 0.05). The average Marine BMI = 26.7 kg/m2 was similar to MA who competed in
football, swimming, and volley ball (p > 0.05); however, it was higher than MA who competed in
track/field (p < 0.05) and lower than MA who played softball (p < 0.05). It should be noted that the
average BMI for the Marines and all MA sport categories were classified as being overweight. Within
the parameters of this investigation, Tactical MA (i.e., aging US Marines) enjoy a similar beneficial
BMI as other North American MA.
Keywords
- USMC,
- Marines,
- Body mass index,
- body composition,
- obesity
Disciplines
Publication Date
2022
DOI
doi.org/10.3390/sports10020022
Citation Information
Marc Keefer, Jack Walsh, Kent Adams, Mike Climstein, et al.. "Tactical Masters Athletes: BMI Index Classifications" Sports Vol. 10 Iss. 22 (2022) p. 1 - 8 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael_climstein/173/