Generolo Jono Žemaičio Lietuvos karo akademija

Physical fitness is a fundamental component of military readiness, with aerobic capacity representing a key determinant of operational performance. In military education settings, training time is often limited, which increases the need for efficient and targeted conditioning strategies. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been widely discussed as a time-efficient method capable of eliciting meaningful physiological adaptations. However, evidence regarding its specific effects on aerobic capacity in military populations remains inconsistent. Therefore, further evaluation of structured HIIT interventions under real-world military conditions is warranted. First-year military students (n ≈ 80–90) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group completing a structured nine-week HIIT-based program or a control group following standard conventional physical training. The study was conducted across two consecutive measurement seasons using a randomized pre–post design. Aerobic capacity was assessed before and after the intervention using maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) determined via graded exercise testing. Both training programs were implemented within the regular physical training curriculum. The present study provides insight into the effects of a systematically designed HIIT intervention on aerobic capacity in a military student population. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how structured high-intensity training compares with conventional military physical training in terms of VO₂max adaptation. These results may help inform the development of efficient conditioning strategies within time-constrained military education environments. The study was conducted within a real-world military training setting, which may limit strict control over all external training influences. The duration of the intervention and the absence of intermediate physiological measurements may also have influenced the observed adaptations. Additionally, variability in sample size across measurement seasons should be considered when interpreting the findings.

This study focuses on the evaluation of the moderating role of psychological resilience in intrinsic motivation. These causal relationships were evaluated in terms of self-efficacy and perceived military competence, taking into account the effects of intrinsic motivation and psychological resilience. Five hypotheses were developed on the effects of the theoretically supported variable relations. The study data set was collected from the Active Lithuanian Army Reserve. In this study, 354 soldiers were investigated using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRE), the Self-Efficacy Scale (EFF), the Intrinsic Motivation Scale (INM) and the Perceived Military Competence Scale (PMC). The results of the analysis conducted showed that between self-efficacy and the growth of perceived military competence is a positive relationship both for soldiers with high and low points of intrinsic motivation. In addition, it can be concluded that reservists with higher internal motivation have more confidence in their abilities to act and achieve the set goals, which can have a significant impact on reservists' readiness to improve their military competence. Similarly, self-efficacy appears to be vital in improving military competences among soldiers with less intrinsic motivation. Moreover, soldiers with higher intrinsic motivation and higher psychological resilience probably increase their military competence due to the pleasure they derive from participating in military exercises.

The objective of this article is to describe the system of defence education for Polish youth after 1989 and its transformations. The article indicates that in Polish primary and secondary schools today, the subject of security education is taught, and in some high schools – especially in Certified Military Uniformed Classes – the subject of military education is taught as well. Among students, however, the defence curriculum is taught mainly as part of extra-curricular activities, mainly within the Academic Legion and Passport Programme. On the basis of the research strengthening military potential is supported by the defence education of young people. The exploration underlined that achieving the defence objectives outlined by the programmes of the Ministry of National Defence in agreement with the Ministry of National Education. The study used the diagnostic survey research method and the techniques of content analysis, a questionnaire, interviews, and observations. The article conluds recommendations for security education curriculum.