Effects of modern physical training on physical performance and training-related injuries in the Chinese people's armed police force: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

The Chinese People's Armed Police Force (PAP) undertakes high-intensity counter-terrorism, stability-maintenance and security tasks requiring exceptional physical fitness. However, conventional military physical training is monotonous in design, and training-related injury rates remain high (3,25). Modern physical training paradigms-Comprehensive Physical Training (CPT) and Preventive Training (PT)-have been gradually introduced into the PAP system, yet their combined effects have not been systematically quantified.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of modern physical training (CPT and PT) compared with conventional military training on physical performance (strength, endurance, speed, agility), movement quality (as measured by the Functional Movement Screen [FMS]), body composition (BMI) and training-related injury rates in PAP personnel.

METHODS

This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the PROSPERO protocol (CRD420261448648). We searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, SCIE, Scopus, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang and Weipu databases without date or language restrictions. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and high-quality non-randomized studies comparing modern physical training (CPT/PT) with conventional military training in PAP personnel, reporting at least one physical fitness outcome or training-related injury rate. Two reviewers independently performed screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (RoB 2.0 for RCTs; ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies). Continuous outcomes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) and dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR), both with 95% confidence intervals, using Hartung-Knapp random-effects models. Prespecified subgroup analyses were performed by population (recruits vs. veterans/cadets) and intervention duration (<12 vs. ≥12 weeks). Evidence quality was assessed using GRADE.

RESULTS

After screening 1,739 records, 20 studies (n = 4,158 PAP personnel) were included in the meta-analysis. Modern physical training significantly outperformed conventional training in pull-ups (19 studies, SMD = 0.68 [0.50, 0.85], I2 = 76.5%), 3000m run (15 studies, SMD = -0.87 [-1.40, -0.33]; however, after excluding the extreme outlier Yan (2024), the effect remained significant (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI [-0.68, -0.36]) with substantially reduced heterogeneity I2 =50.6%), 100m sprint (10 studies, SMD = -0.42 [-0.65, -0.19]), 30m×2 zigzag run (6 studies, SMD = -0.82 [-1.16, -0.48]), 2-min sit-ups (9 studies, SMD = 0.57 [0.24, 0.89]), parallel bar dips (7 studies, SMD = 0.58 [0.16, 0.99], I2 = 74.9%), FMS total score (4 studies, SMD = 1.92 [0.68, 3.17]) and BMI (5 studies, SMD = 0.19 [0.03, 0.36], I2 = 0%). Training-related injury rate (4 studies, RR = 0.63 [0.46, 0.87]) was reduced by 37%. FMS showed the largest effect in <12-week FMS-specific training (SMD = 2.45), significantly higher than the ≥12-week comprehensive programs (SMD = 0.90, subgroup difference p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Modern physical training (CPT and PT) significantly enhances physical performance across multiple dimensions-including upper body strength, upper body pushing power, core endurance, aerobic capacity, speed, agility and functional movement-and favorably modifies body composition, while reducing the risk of training-related injuries by approximately 37% (RR = 0.63). FMS screening and targeted corrective training is recommended during recruit training (<12 weeks), while periodized comprehensive physical training programs are recommended for ongoing training (≥12 weeks). These findings provide evidence-based guidance for optimizing training protocols and enhancing combat readiness in PAP units.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/, identifier CRD420261448648.