Physical Activity and Exercise Patterns of Submariners in Land and Sea Environments

Sea deployments are associated with substantial declines in physical activity and sleep quality among submariners, accompanied by increased sitting time and widespread behavioral disengagement. These findings highlight the need for practical strategies to support health, well-being, and operational readiness in constrained environments. Strengths of the study include context-specific survey design and rich participant engagement, as reflected by detailed qualitative responses. Limitations include small sample size, variability in responses, potential recall bias, and the inability to assess survey reliability because of ethical constraints. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs and explore implementable interventions to promote physical activity and sleep during deployment. These findings may also apply to other constrained environments, such as naval surface ships, remote field sites, or mining operations, where similar occupational barriers exist. Overall, these results offer valuable insight into how deployment conditions shape health behaviors in submariners and provide a foundation for developing evidence-based strategies to improve activity and well-being in this and similar populations.