Changes in Physical Training and Injury Incidence Following the Introduction of a New Military Fitness Test

Pearson, RC, Grier, T, Benedict, T, Mahlmann, O, and Canham-Chervak, M. Changes in physical training and injury incidence following the introduction of a new military fitness test. J Strength Cond Res 39(5): e684-e691, 2025-Physical training (PT) and injury incidence may be affected by the implementation of a new physical fitness test. Current investigation measured changes in PT and injury incidence following field testing of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Sixty-one battalions were administered electronic surveys before and after ACFT field testing from October 2018 through June 2020. Surveys collected demographics, injury incidence, and PT within the previous 12 months. Army Combat Fitness Test records were obtained from the Digital Training Management System. Statistical significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. One thousand one hundred thirty-four soldiers completed both surveys. Male soldiers represented 77% (31.3 ± 8.6 years, 21.3 ± 4.3 kg·m -2 ) and female soldiers represented 23% (30.0 ± 7.8 years, 24.1 ± 3.1 kg·m -2 ) of respondents. Male soldiers reported lower unit calisthenics training, higher unit resistance training, and higher unit total exercise following field testing (minutes per week, p < 0.05). Male soldiers reported higher personal running, higher personal resistance training, lower personal obstacle course training, and lower personal total exercise after field testing (minutes per week, p < 0.05). Female soldiers reported lower unit running, higher unit resistance training, higher personal resistance training, lower personal obstacle course training, and lower personal total exercise after field testing (minutes per week, p < 0.05). After field testing, male soldiers reported a greater number of lower back injuries (+2.9%, p = 0.01) and a greater number of resistance training injuries (+1.7%, p < 0.01). Changes in specific training modalities may lead to changes in activities associated with injury. Proper technique, periodization, individualization, and recovery education are recommended to control injury incidence when a new PT program is implemented.