A Narrative Review of Wearable Technologies for Monitoring Soldier Health and Readiness: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

Abstract

Background: Modern warfare and operational tempo demand continuous, objective monitoring of soldier health and readiness to optimize performance and prevent casualties. Wearable technologies offer a paradigm shift from episodic, self-reported health assessments to real-time, data-driven surveillance. Aim: This narrative review aims to synthesize the interdisciplinary literature on military wearable technologies, examining their applications, efficacy, and implementation challenges from the integrated perspectives of social work, nursing, emergency medicine, and health management. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and IEEE Xplore databases for peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, and systematic reviews published between January 2015 and December 2025. Literature was narratively synthesized to map the socio-technical ecosystem of military wearables across the four disciplines. Results: Wearable applications span heat strain prediction, traumatic brain injury triage, stress biomarker monitoring, and sleep optimization. Significant efficacy was found for physiological monitoring, yet major challenges persist in data overload, interoperability, user adherence, and psychosocial integration. The synthesis reveals a critical gap between data generation and clinically actionable, ethically grounded care. Conclusion: The optimal use of wearables is not merely a technological feat but a complex sociotechnical challenge requiring integrated policies and multidisciplinary care pathways to move from monitoring to meaningful health intervention.