Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks of moderate-intensity circuit training with morning exercise on physical fitness factors of soldiers.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test design and control and experimental groups. The statistical population of the study included all soldiers. The statistical sample of the study was determined based on the entry criteria for the study and using GPower software as 45 people and was divided into two experimental groups and a control group (15 people in each group) by simple randomization. The research tools included physical fitness tests including 27.5 m (speed), 9 x 4 m (agility), Sergeant's jump (vertical jump), Wells (sit and reach), and standing on one leg (stork standing or stroke). All statistical operations of the study were performed using one-way analysis of variance and SPSS version 25 software with a significance level of P < 0.05.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean post-test scores of mental health in the morning group (p<0.001), in the balance variable scores of the circular group (p<0.001). And there was no difference in the agility, flexibility, power and speed variables between the two groups (p≤0.001).
Conclusion: The results showed that morning exercises improve the mental health of employees, while circular exercises improve balance. Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the agility, flexibility, power and speed variables.