Influence of physical inactivity on the quality of life of soldiers in the Kinshasa garrison

Abstract

Increasing the intensity of physical activity and the high level of physical fitness among soldiers, one of the major public health issues according to WHO recommendations. It helps to fight against chronic non-communicable diseases for which physical inactivity is fully responsible. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, no study has been conducted to find the influence of physical inactivity on the quality of life. Congolese soldiers. The aim of the study is to determine the influence of physical inactivity on the quality of life of soldiers in Kinshasa. In a descriptive observational cross-sectional study, 899 soldiers from Kinshasa participated in a questionnaire survey, which took place in the period from October 2020 to February 2021. The level of physical activity and the quality of life were measured at using the WHO Q-AAP and Who-Bref questionnaires. Morpho-physiological and body composition variables were assessed. Pearson's Chi-Square tests were used for comparison of score means, as well as logistic regression analysis for correlation of study variables or (p<0.01). Out of a total of 899 soldiers, 88.5% had a poor quality of life, thus dominated by physical inactivity or the average scores were significantly different according to age groups (p<0.01) and military ranks (p =0.007) and varied with military chronological age (p=0.045). The scores of privates and non-commissioned officers had a significantly higher frequency of inactivity (p=0.003). The latter had a morbid history (p=0.046). This study reveals that the majority of soldiers in the Kinshasa garrison are inactive and have a poor quality of life, which would lead to the risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases, reducing their operational effectiveness on the combat field. Physical inactivity has negative effects on the quality of life of Congolese soldiers.