Military training efficacy on physical fitness and mental health in college students

Abstract

Background

University military training enhances national defense awareness and cultivates strategic talent. Its effects on students’ physical fitness and psychological resilience remain underexplored.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a 14-day military training program on physical performance and psychological resilience in first-year university students.

Methods

Seventy-six students completed a 14-day military training program, while 33 students served as a physical fitness control group. Assessments included the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-LQ), handgrip strength, core endurance, Sense of Coherence (SOC-13) scale, and weekly physical activity (IPAQ).

Results

Military training significantly improved FMS (males +6.9%, females +13.8%, p < 0.01), YBT scores (left limb both sexes, right limb females +5.1%, p = 0.009), and SOC-13 scores (+5.1%, p = 0.011). Female participants also showed increased dominant-hand grip strength (+6.3%, p = 0.047). Core endurance exhibited minor, non-significant sex-specific trends, with a slight decrease in males and a modest increase in females (12–35%). The physical fitness control group showed smaller FMS and grip strength improvements, no significant YBT gains, and no significant SOC-13 change. Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between physical performance, psychological resilience, and training duration, suggesting mutual reinforcement of physical and mental capacities.

Conclusions

A 14-day military training program enhances lower-limb balance, functional movement, female grip strength, and psychological resilience. These findings support the effectiveness of short-term military training in improving both physical and mental readiness among university students, with potential sex-specific effects on both grip strength and core endurance.