Over two intensive testing days, the KU research team comprehensively assessed the condition of 107 soldiers: from body composition, muscle strength, jump power, and endurance to tremor, reflexes, fine motor skills, reaction speed, cognitive endurance, and emotional intelligence. In addition to physical measurements, the soldiers completed questionnaires designed to evaluate stress tolerance, psychological resilience, and emotional stability.
The study is being conducted as part of the project “Sustainable Coastal Development Excellence Centre.” The project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport under Agreement No. S-A-UEI-23-9. The funding enabled the acquisition of a state-of-the-art mobile diagnostic laboratory, which allows testing to be carried out directly at the soldiers’ service location and ensures highly accurate assessment of their physical, psychological, and cognitive condition.
According to Prof. Dr. Daiva Mockevičienė, Head of the KU Department of Holistic Medicine and Rehabilitation, the aim of KU researchers is not only to collect data but also to understand human functionality at different stages of life and under different conditions. The study of conscripts provides an exceptional opportunity to objectively assess their initial state and to analyse their adaptation throughout the service.
KU researcher Dr. Laura Žalienė highlights that the initial assessment is particularly important, as at the beginning of the service the body has not yet adapted to new physical loads, the unfamiliar environment, and strict routines.
“Over two days we evaluated their physical and functional condition—from foot arch structure to body mass analysis, from muscle strength to jump power. We measured arm and leg strength, the ratio of fat to muscle mass, and performed reflex tests, tremor assessments, and fine motor examinations. We also assessed cognitive functions, reaction speed, stress perception, and emotional intelligence,” said Dr. Laura Žalienė, a biologist at KU.
All research procedures were conducted in strict compliance with data protection requirements—all participants were coded, and testing was carried out in small groups of ten. Follow-up assessments are planned after three months and again at the end of the nine-month service period, enabling researchers to track changes in recruits' physical, psychological, and cognitive condition as they undergo training according to NATO standards. These insights will help further improve training programme quality and preventive measures.
Assessment of Soldiers and the Importance of Profiling
Soldier assessment also plays a crucial role in the context of profiling. The Lithuanian Armed Forces increasingly rely on evidence-based allocation of conscripts according to their strengths. Some soldiers are better suited for tasks requiring physical endurance, while others demonstrate faster reaction times, greater accuracy, or superior cognitive capacity. The KU study helps identify these characteristics more precisely and supports more efficient allocation of human resources for various military tasks.
The Study as an Integral Part of Student Training
The research has also become a valuable part of KU students’ practical learning. Ten physiotherapy students working alongside eight lecturers carried out measurements with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in real-life conditions, inside a military unit.
“This provided students with invaluable professional experience and the opportunity to work according to the highest assessment standards,” said Prof. Dr. D. Mockevičienė.
KU researchers conduct studies not only in the military sector—ongoing assessments are also being carried out with high-performance athletes in Klaipėda. This helps coaches and sports institutions better understand athletes’ physical condition and prevent injuries. Following initial assessments, individual physiotherapy programmes have been prepared for the athletes, with repeat testing planned at a later stage.
