The British military has unveiled a groundbreaking blueprint for elite servicewomen, aiming to harness what scientists call the 'oestrogen advantage' to boost performance, increase recruitment, and prevent injuries. The guidance, based on a decade-long £20 million study involving 22,000 serving women, marks a shift from traditional male-centric physical performance research.
Tailored Training and Nutrition Unlock Potential
Dr. Julie Greeves, the army's principal physiologist and one of the authors of the new guide, said: 'Historically, physical performance research has been based on male data. Now women in the military can feel that they’ve been properly taken care of, based on evidence.' The research found that with tailored training, women make similar strength gains as men but require more time, along with supplements to combat nutrient deficiencies, protein-heavy diets, and extra sleep.
The guidance includes sex-specific training, nutrition plans, hormone tracking, and kit improvements. Researchers are sharing findings with Nato allies, with Greeves noting: 'The influence that we’re having with our Nato counterparts is honestly mind blowing.'
Evolutionary Advantage for Prolonged Patrols
The blueprint highlights women's physiological advantages, such as the ability to draw energy from fat stores rather than muscle during prolonged arduous patrols, similar to ultra-running. Greeves argues that global militaries have been 'missing a trick' by not leveraging this evolutionary element, which she calls 'the oestrogen advantage in defence.'
Women currently make up about 12% of the British armed forces. To address a 15-year recruitment and retention crisis and meet a target of 30% female recruits by 2030, better support is vital, says veterans and people minister Calvin Bailey. 'Wars are won by society. Our military has to be representative because otherwise our society won’t feel, understand and own it,' he said.
Injury Prevention and Health Monitoring
Women in the military are 50% more likely to get injured than men. Recent research from the University of Edinburgh found female recruits experience 'high rates of fractures, menstrual disturbance and adverse psychological outcomes.' The new guidance emphasizes monitoring menstrual cycles as a 'fifth vital sign' and providing period products and high-performance sports bras.
One RAF recruit told the Guardian she had received no sex-specific research when she joined and bought her own iron supplements. A landmark 2021 report by former Conservative MP Sarah Atherton found servicewomen were being put in danger of life-threatening injuries due to ill-fitting kit, such as armoured plates restricting movement and oversized helmets hampering vision.
Equipment and Cultural Progress
While equipment rollout is improving, it remains slow. One servicewoman said: 'They do have kit, but it runs out. Some of us buy our own, but you shouldn’t have to.' Bailey, a former RAF wing commander with 24 years of service, admitted progress has been too slow. 'Over the last 10 years female personnel have not just been fighting our adversaries; they’ve been fighting the kit and equipment, the training programmes, and their understanding of themselves. Today is a really significant milestone in getting past that.'
Despite challenges, female recruits like 24-year-old Amy embrace the rigorous training. 'If we’re both there and we can both meet the requirements, it’s not a competition because I’m a woman, it’s about who’s the better soldier,' she said.
