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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Military Foot Marches on Performance-Part 1: Physical
Megan Sax van der Weyden1, Yosef Shaul1, Justin J Merrigan2
1School of Kinesiology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|April 22, 2026
Summary
Military foot marches significantly decrease physical performance, particularly in the trunk and lower body strength and postural stability. These findings highlight potential risks for occupational performance and injury, suggesting adjustments to training and load are necessary.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Military Science
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Military service requires high levels of physical and cognitive functioning.
- Foot marches, a common load carriage task, can induce fatigue and impair performance.
- Understanding the impact of foot marches on physical capabilities is crucial for soldier readiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of military-style foot marches on physical performance outcomes.
- To quantify the decrements in strength, power, and stability following foot marches.
Main Methods:
- Adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Systematic search of five electronic databases for relevant studies.
- Three-level random effects meta-analyses using standardized mean differences (SMDs) on 23 studies (n=350).
Main Results:
- Significant decreases observed in lower-body strength (SMD = -0.45), trunk strength (SMD = -0.63), and lower-body power (SMD = -0.32).
- Postural stability significantly worsened (SMD = 0.38), while upper-body strength showed no statistical change.
- A subanalysis revealed a significant decrease in shoulder strength (SMD = -0.22).
Conclusions:
- Military foot marches negatively impact physical performance, with substantial decrements in trunk and lower-body strength and postural stability.
- These performance alterations may increase injury risk and reduce occupational effectiveness.
- Recommendations include adjusting march load, speed, and rest, and implementing holistic training programs to enhance physical capacity and manage fatigue.
