Assessment of strength fitness indicators in women of early mature age under the influence of individualized fitness programs in a war-affected environment

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Maintaining physical fitness in adulthood is an essential component of health preservation and functional stability, particularly under conditions of prolonged environmental stress. In recent years, individual fitness programs have been widely applied to improve strength performance and overall physical condition in women of early mature age. However, under conditions of sustained military impact and increased psycho-emotional load, the adaptive response to systematically dosed strength training may acquire specific characteristics that require contextual consideration. Although various strength-oriented fitness approaches are implemented in practice, their relative effectiveness in enhancing strength preparedness among women living in a war-affected environment remains of practical interest. The aim of the study was to assess changes in strength fitness indicators in women of early mature age under the influence of individualized fitness programs in a war-affected environment.

Material and Methods. The study involved 10 women of early mature age (21–30 years), divided into two subgroups (21–25 and 26–30 years). The experiment lasted five months and was conducted under war-affected environmental conditions. Participants performed individually designed strength-oriented fitness programs. Strength preparedness was assessed before and after the intervention using a battery of tests evaluating maximal strength, strength endurance, and speed-strength abilities (plank, leg press, deadlift hold, standing long jump, vertical jump, squats, push-ups, and sit-ups). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Student’s t-test for dependent samples, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results. The findings demonstrated positive changes in most strength fitness indicators in both age subgroups following the five-month intervention. Statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in leg press, standing long jump, deadlift hold, and squats tests, with the most pronounced gains recorded in abdominal strength endurance in the younger subgroup (p<0.01). In women aged 26–30 years, significant progress was additionally noted in the plank test. Some indicators, including vertical jump and single-leg squats, did not reach statistical significance. Overall, individualized strength-oriented programs resulted in measurable improvements in strength preparedness under war-affected conditions.

Conclusions. Positive changes in strength preparedness indicators were observed in women of early mature age following participation in individualized strength-oriented fitness programs conducted under war-affected environmental conditions. Due to the single-group pre–post design and absence of a control group, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary within-sample changes rather than causal evidence of effectiveness. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing personalized strength training approaches in crisis-affected environments.