Effects of 8-Week Suspension Training Program on Physical Fitness, Biomechanical Lower Extremity Injury Risk Factors, Mental Health, and Work-Related Factors in Navy Personnel: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Military personnel need to be in optimal physical fitness and ready for action. Currently used physical training programs are mainly based on cardiovascular routines that do not fulfill all physical requirements. Feasible and easy-accessible training programs are needed to improve strength-related physical performance. Objectives: The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a suspension-training program with the total body resistance exercise band in physical fitness, biomechanical lower extremity injury risk factors, mental health, and work-related factors in navy personnel. Methods: To conduct this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 50 young men aged 18 to 28 years will be recruited. The intervention group performs suspension training (three times a week for 8 weeks) in addition to their daily duties; however, the control group continues their daily duties. The primary outcome is physical performance. The secondary outcomes include biomechanical lower extremity injury risk factors, mental health, and work-related factors. Discussion: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a randomized controlled trial of suspension training in performance, lower extremity frontal plane kinematics, job satisfaction, workability, and quality of life in navy personnel. This trial might provide new insights for various experts and military coaches and suspension-training programs can be used as new methods to meet all military personnel demands with minimum facilities.