Millions of pounds have been spent on improving military equipment and training methods in recent years, but the UK Armed Forces have long acknowledged that their female personnel face unique challenges when it comes to preparing for demanding roles. A major new guide aims to change this by providing evidence-based guidance specifically tailored to women's needs, helping to boost warfighting readiness and effectiveness across the three main services.
Published on 9th July 2026, the Defence-specific handbook draws upon a decade of extensive research and the lived experiences of servicewomen to provide science-led recommendations on fitness, nutrition, and recovery. Developed by experts across Defence, incorporating tri-Service knowledge, it offers practical advice on critical areas such as training methodologies, sleep hygiene, nutritional requirements, recovery strategies, and injury prevention.
The resource is designed for use across the Armed Forces, establishing a unified standard of support for women and actively working to close the historical gender data gap in military training and performance. Key areas covered include science-backed training programmes optimised for demanding tasks like carrying heavy equipment, with careful consideration for women's training needs to minimise injury risk. It also provides informed nutritional targets specific to women's requirements for energy, protein, iron, and vitamin D.
Crucially, the guide addresses hormone health through better sleep practices, menstrual cycle tracking, and guidance on hormonal contraceptives. The NHS notes that servicewomen sleeping fewer than 7-9 hours per night face a significantly elevated risk of musculoskeletal injury (NHS [insert source]). Furthermore, it advocates for better-designed kit, including improved-fit body armour, innovative urination systems, emergency period products and disposal, and funded sports bras.
Professor Julie Greeves, Technical Research Director in Physiology, stated that historically, physical performance research has been based on male data, and this guide changes that by giving servicewomen the tools to train smarter, reduce injury, and stay in service longer. The 'Science of Human Performance: A guide for servicewomen preparing for arduous courses' was developed by the Army Health and Performance Research Team following years of pioneering research, including a pilot programme tracking trainees and servicewomen.