Morphological and motor-endurance changes are highly related in Croatian navy male recruits.

A certain decrease of the physical fitness status during the second phase of a three-phase navy recruit training was observed in an experimental physical training program (PTP) performed by Croatian navy recruits in 2000. The morphological status (MS) and motor-endurance status (MES) changes in the status of these variables during the course of this study, and the influence or association of MS changes on MES were observed in 307 male navy recruits at the beginning and at the end of specialist navy training. The total sample was divided into two groups: E group (n = 199) performed experimental PTP and C group (n = 108) performed official PTP. Analysis of the variance between initial and final testing and the canonical analysis between MS changes and MES changes were calculated. Results show that the experimental PTP was more effective than the official PTP in improving MS and increasing MES. These results support for reprogramming the official PTP during the specialist-training period to make it a more effective tool for military readiness.