Effect of TRX Training on Serotonin, Happiness and Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) Scores of Border Guard’s Soldiers in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, South-West of Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of TRX training on changes in cerebral serotonin, happiness, and Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) test score and the relationship between serotonin and happiness of border guard’s soldiers in Sistan and Baluchestan province, south-west of Iran.

30 border guard’s soldiers volunteered to participate in this study and were in two control (age: 22.1±2.8 years) and experimental (age: 23±2.2 years) groups. TRX training was performed three times a week for eight weeks, and the intensity of the training was increased every two weeks. Serotonin levels, happiness, some anthropometric dimensions, and fitness levels (using the APFT test) were measured before and after training. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before and after the last training session and tested in a specialized laboratory.

In the experimental group, serotonin level 71.7% (P=0.0001), happiness 29.5% (P=0.0001), and APFT test score 16.3% (P=0.0001) had a significant increase; while in the control group, serotonin levels showed a significant decrease of 24.2% (P=0.011). The findings indicate a significant increase in serotonin, happiness, and APFT score in the experimental group compared to the control group (P=0.0001). Also, a direct and relatively strong relationship was observed between serotonin changes and happiness (r=0.616).

TRX's eight-week workouts seem to have a positive effect on physical fitness, body composition, and increase soldiers' vitality and happiness.