Effects of Physical Training in Military Populations: A Meta-Analytic Summary

摘要

Military physical training should increase combat readiness. Ability- performance modeling studies have shown that muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance are the keys to effective task performance, so training that improves these abilities improves readiness. This meta-analysis, which synthesized military physical training studies, showed that standard training practices produced large gains in muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance. Standard training practices produced only minor improvements in muscular strength. Situational constraints limit the training options for military units, but some experimental programs have shown that training can be redesigned to promote muscular strength within those constraints. Modifications to past training practices have the potential to better align training practices with readiness requirements.