#EvidenceBasedPolicy

A large Swedish-initiated study finds that regular physical activity in childhood, especially participation in organized sports, may reduce the risk of psychiatric conditions by late adolescence. The findings arrive at a time when youth mental health is a rising concern in Thailand and around the world, underscoring practical, evidence-based paths for prevention. The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in May 2025, followed thousands of children from birth and tracked their activity patterns to later diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and related conditions.

A landmark longitudinal study from Sweden has found that regular physical activity (PA), especially participation in organised sports, may significantly reduce the risk of children developing psychiatric conditions by late adolescence. The findings come at a critical time for both Thailand and the global community, as mental health challenges among youth continue to rise and policymakers seek practical, evidence-based solutions. The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in May 2025, tracked a large birth cohort of children over more than a decade, linking their physical activity patterns to later-incidence of disorders including anxiety, depression, and addiction (bjsm.bmj.com).

The U.S. Army has unveiled sweeping changes to its fitness testing protocol, marking the end of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and ushering in a new era with the Army Fitness Test (AFT) beginning in June 2025. The announcement signals a significant shift in how the largest branch of the U.S. military assesses its soldiers’ physical readiness, with reforms designed to bolster overall fitness, enhance warfighting capabilities, and address ongoing debates over test fairness and military effectiveness (USA Today).

The U.S. Army is replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test with the Army Fitness Test in June 2025, signaling a major shift in how soldiers’ physical readiness is evaluated. The reform aims to boost overall fitness, strengthen warfighting capability, and address debates over fairness and effectiveness. For Thai readers, the changes offer a glimpse into global best practices in training, gender equity, and evidence-based policy making.

The Army Fitness Test includes five events: a three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up army extension, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a two-mile run. The Standing Power Throw from the previous test has been removed. Each event requires a minimum of 60 points, with a total passing score of at least 350 points. The focus is on core strength, muscular endurance, speed, and cardiovascular fitness as key indicators of combat readiness.