Physical Fitness and Cognitive Performance in the Military: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study

A large body of research suggests engagement in various forms of exercise and subsequent increases in metrics of physical fitness are beneficial to cognitive functioning. Given the physically and cognitively demanding nature of military operations, further research exploring this relationship in military populations is warranted. The current study sought to examine the relationship between physical fitness and cognitive performance in a sample of 541 Marine Corps officers, analyzing de-identified student performance data from two training companies at The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, VA. The independent variables examined were scores on the Marine Corps physical fitness test (PFT) and combat fitness test (CFT), as well as obstacle course and endurance course events. The dependent variables included five written academic exams, student grade point average (GPA), two land navigation performance evaluations, and a Tactical Performance Exam (TPE)—a written examination administered in a field environment when participants are in a state of physical and cognitive fatigue. The researcher hypothesized that on average, greater physical fitness performance would be associated with higher levels of cognitive performance in Marine officers. Among male participants, higher levels of cardiovascular fitness were consistently associated with better cognitive performance across multiple measures. A multiple regression model predicting GPA found both endurance course time (β = -.25, p < .01) and gender (β = -.24, p < .01) to be significant predictors, where females scored nearly four percentage points higher when all independent variables were held constant. When stratified by gender, Maneuver Under Fire (MUF) scores additionally predicted GPA in men (β = -.17, p < .05). These findings suggest that both aerobic and anaerobic capacity may predict academic achievement in military officers. Further research is needed to confirm results as a disproportionately male sample limited statistical power for analyses involving female participants. Finally, endurance course performance may represent an underlying psychological trait (e.g., grit) or physical characteristic (e.g., absolute versus relative VO2 max) which is related to cognitive performance but not captured in its alternative measure of aerobic capacity—the three-mile run. The findings of the present study offer support for the value of cardiovascular fitness—particularly under load—as a useful indicator of cognitive potential for Marine officers in training environments.