Optimizing the physical training of military trainees

Initial military training is designed to prepare new trainees for the requirements of militaryservice. Providing a physical training program to optimize initial trainingsuccess while minimizing the potential for injury, especially overuse injury,is vital. Several key factors, including initial trainee fitness, other trainingrequirements, and program-induced cumulative overload, need to be consideredwhen developing and implementing a physical training program for a militarytrainee. The use of an undulating model, incorporating elements of metabolicand neuromuscular conditioning, as well as load carriage conditioning shouldform the framework of a military trainee's physical training plan.