Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the physical fitness, body weight and stature with morbidity among 568 soldiers in service in 2000. Physical fitness was measured on the basis of correctly performed push-ups and sit-ups in a 2-minute period. The performance of soldiers improved considerably by the end of service and those with the lowest scores in test results at entry gained most. Correlation analysis of anthropological and fitness values with morbidity, as measured in number of days on sick-leave, revealed, that higher body-mass-index and lower scores in fitness test were positively related to higher number of days on sick-leave. The number of days on sick-leave decreased among soldiers during service time on the account of more fit soldiers.