The Effectiveness of a 10-Week Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training Program on the Physical Readiness of Trained British Army Soldiers

Nevin, J, Suffield, C, Mutch, S, Glass, M, Sadler, S, Mclay, W, Coonan, L, Glass, M, Sadler, S, Penver, R, and Beckingham, J. The effectiveness of a 10-week concurrent strength and endurance training program on the physical readiness of trained British Army soldiers. J Strength Cond Res 40(2): e189-e196, 2026-The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a 10-week concurrent strength and endurance training program in comparison with traditional military physical training (PT) practices on the physical readiness of trained British Army personnel. Forty-eight, fully trained British Army infantry soldiers (men: n = 45; women: n = 3) were randomly assigned into either an experimental or control group. Baseline and post-testing measures included body mass, standing broad jump, seated medicine ball throw, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) hex bar deadlift, 100-m shuttle run, pull-ups, and 2-km run. Subjects in the experimental group followed a 10-week concurrent strength and endurance training program based on a block periodization model, whereas subjects in the control group completed a 10-week program based on traditional military PT practices (i.e., circuit training, steady-state running). Results indicated a greater effect size in all measures in the experimental group than in the control group with a significant (p < 0.001) improvement observed in 1RM hex bar deadlift and pull-up performance. Findings from this study demonstrate that a concurrent training program based on a block periodization model elicits superior improvements in certain components of physical than traditional military PT practices. However, data suggest that a greater frequency and/or volume of endurance training may be required to elicit improvements in aerobic capacity. As such, it is recommended that warfighters conduct at least 2 strength and 2 endurance training sessions per week in addition to occupational task-specific training.