OBJECTIVE: To assess the combined effects of integrated neuromuscular training (INT) and traditional physical training on enhancing the strength, speed, and agility of military personnel. METHODS: A total of 20 military cadets (aged 18-22 years, predominantly male) were randomly assigned to either an INT group or a traditional physical training group. The intervention lasted for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 70-90 min. Countermovement jumps, 100 m sprints, and agility tests, were conducted at three time points: pre-intervention, 4 weeks post-intervention, and 8 weeks post-intervention for both groups. Maximum strength measurements, including bench press and squat, were compared at two time points: pre-intervention and post-intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant baseline differences in gender, age, height, weight, and BMI between the two groups (p > 0.05). The results indicated that the INT group demonstrated significant improvements in countermovement jumps (7.1 cm increase), 100 m sprints (0.88 s reduction), and IAT (1.15 s reduction) at pre-intervention, 4 weeks post-intervention, and 8 weeks post-intervention (p < 0.05), whereas the traditional physical training group showed no significant differences between 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-intervention (p > 0.05). Inter-group comparisons revealed significant differences in 1RM bench press and squat values between the two groups (p < 0.05), and intra-group comparisons showed that the INT group had significantly greater improvements in 1RM bench press and squat compared to the traditional physical training group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that an 8-week INT program leads to significantly greater improvements in strength, speed, and agility compared to traditional physical training, making it a promising approach for military conditioning programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06663371, Registration Date: 29/10/2024.
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Liu et al. (2025) studied this question.