The five signs that could show if new Navy fitness standards are causing injuries
Bolt Burdon Kemp has listed five key areas of interest when establishing whether the new fitness standards in the Royal Navy have put personnel at increased risk of injury.
The Ministry of Defence will soon publish the first health and safety statistics since the Physical Employment Standards (PES) were introduced to the Royal Navy.
Last year’s figures, for 2024-2025, showed most of the 24,000 incidents recorded happened during training exercises, not on operations – which is critical insight for both legal professionals and service members.
Training is meant to be controlled, predictable and safe and the MOD has a duty of care to all personnel during these activities.
But any new physical requirement, such as the PES, could influence injury rates if implementation isn’t carefully managed, and we’ll be looking carefully to see if the PES has led to a rise in musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI)?
The PES are designed to ensure personnel are physically capable of meeting their operational roles. While this makes sense in principle, the rollout raises potential risks:
- Personnel may be pushed too quickly to meet new standards
- Individuals returning from injury may not receive sufficient adaptation or rehabilitation
- Differences in age, sex, or body composition may not be fully accounted for
- Training intensity and frequency may increase faster than the body can safely adapt
- Postnatal women may be pushed before their core strength has recovered
Musculoskeletal injures often develop gradually, with overuse, strain and stress fractures common examples, and could rise as PES requirements take hold.
The 2025-2026 Health and Safety report due later this year will provide valuable insight into whether the PES rollout affects injury trends and these are the key areas we’ll be looking out for:
- Changes in MSKI rates in the Royal Navy
- Injuries linked to training or fitness testing
- Disproportionate impacts on women, older personnel, or those with pre-existing injuries
- Repeat injuries or chronic conditions
- Near-misses or overuse injuries that signal emerging risks
For legal professionals, these trends help determine whether injuries were foreseeable and preventable, and therefore whether there may be grounds for claims.
Legal duty and accountability
Military service does not remove the duty of care. Injuries caused by excessive or poorly supervised training, inadequate preparation for new standards, or known hazards that weren’t mitigated, can form the basis for legal claims.
Documented patterns like rising MSKI rates are key evidence in establishing whether an organisation failed to meet its obligations.
What to do if you were injured during training
If you or a loved one are injured while training under PES or any supervised physical training session:
- Report the injury immediately through official channels
- Seek medical attention promptly, even if you think it is minor
- Keep detailed records such as dates, circumstances, medical notes and emails
- Consult a personal injury lawyer experienced with military claims
Early action can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and securing compensation for the long-term impact of injury. Remember, military careers can be lost through medical discharge, even where the injury appears minor.
If you’ve been affected by your service, physically, mentally or emotionally, you don’t have to face it alone.
Our specialist military claims team approach each enquiry with empathy, respect and a genuine understanding of the challenges service personnel and veterans can face.
Your story matters, and you deserve support you can trust.
