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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Military Foot Marches on Performance-Part 2: Cognitive
Megan Sax van der Weyden1, Yosef Shaul1, William S Helton2
1School of Kinesiology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Military foot marches significantly impair visual and auditory cognitive performance in service members. Commanders should manage march intensity, loads, and rest to mitigate these cognitive declines.
Area of Science:
- Military science
- Cognitive psychology
- Sports science
Background:
- Military tasks demand both physical and cognitive readiness.
- Foot marches, a common load carriage activity, can induce fatigue and degrade performance.
- Understanding the impact on cognitive function is crucial for operational effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of military-style foot marches on cognitive performance.
- To identify specific cognitive domains affected by strenuous load carriage activities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Searched five databases for studies measuring cognitive performance pre- and post-foot march.
- Conducted three-level random-effects meta-analyses using standardized mean differences (SMDs).
Main Results:
- Eighteen studies involving 382 subjects were analyzed.
- Significant decrements observed in visual (SMD = -0.33) and auditory (SMD = 0.85) cognitive performance.
- No significant changes detected in memory or executive function performance.
Conclusions:
- Military foot marches negatively impact certain cognitive functions, particularly visual and auditory processing.
- Variability in results may stem from differing study protocols and participant demographics.
- Recommendations include moderating march intensity, reducing loads, optimizing equipment fit, and incorporating rest breaks to mitigate cognitive deficits.
