Beyond High-Intensity Interval Training: Optimising Endurance Training Intensity Distribution to Enhance Warfighter Aerobic Fitness

Nevin, Jonpaul, Blacker, Sam and Orr, Rob (2026) Beyond High-Intensity Interval Training: Optimising Endurance Training Intensity Distribution to Enhance Warfighter Aerobic Fitness. Strength and Conditioning Journal. ISSN 1524-1602 (In Press)

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Abstract

Physical fitness is a key modifiable determinant of warfighter operational readiness. Whilst warfighters must develop a broad spectrum of physical fitness components; a strong body of evidence suggests that aerobic fitness fundamentally underpins military-occupational task performance. Furthermore, evidence suggests that chronic exposure to a high-volume of endurance training can confer enhanced physiological and psychological robustness and may also enhance cognitive function. Despite the recognized importance of aerobic fitness, an increased emphasis on the concept of the anaerobic battlefield has led many military physical training programs to prioritize highintensity interval training over high-volume, low-intensity endurance training. This shift may have inadvertently compromised the development of aerobic fitness and psychological robustness within warfighter populations. Therefore, this raises several important questions: How do successful endurance athletes train? And how might this knowledge be applied to enhance military physical training? Based upon the available evidence, it is recommended that military physical training programs should be based upon a suitable periodization model incorporating concurrent strength and endurance training. To enhance aerobic fitness, the use of high-volume, low-intensity endurance training should be prioritized with high-intensity interval training strategically integrated through the use of either a polarized (80/20%), or pyramidal (70/20/10%) training intensity distribution model.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	College of Health and Society > Sports and Exercise Science
Depositing User:	Research and Knowledge Exchange Office Admin 1
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2026 10:21
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2026 10:21
URI:	https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/21109

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