Intra Ocular Pressure Changes in Soldiers during Military March

 Military activities cannot be classified as pure isometric or pure dynamic exercise. The effects of these activities on intra ocular pressure (IOP) have not been investigated so far.

 The current study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of military activities on IOP.

Following a cross-sectional design, this study was conducted on 44 soldiers in the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. Soldiers’ heart rate and IOP were recorded before marching activities at rest, immediately after marching, and 30 minutes after the march. The measurements were repeated in the same process in 3 months. The marching activity was the same for all participants and took 60 minutes.

 In total, 44 soldiers were studied, with a mean age of 21.80 ± 1.56 years. The IOP measurements before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the marching were significantly different. IOP was significantly lower after the march (P < 0.001), and 30 minutes after the march, it was increasing gradually. The same results were observed in the IOP measurements 3 months later. We found no association between IOP after marching and heart rates before and after marching. Also, no significant association was observed between IOP and age.

 IOP was significantly decreased after marching, but it was transient. The results indicate that the dynamic component in military marches is more prominent than isometric parts.