In modern engineering research and applications, aerodynamic and hydrodynamic testing serves as a critical method for studying fluid mechanics. These tests aim to analyze the forces acting on moving objects in gas or liquid flows and their interactions with the flow field, and providing essential data support for engineering design. Among these, aerodynamic/hydrodynamic force measurement and structural monitoring are key components of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic testing. They are used to obtain hydrodynamic characteristics, predict object performance under various fluid conditions, and ensure structural stability and safety under different loads. As research in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics continues to advance, the techniques for aerodynamic/hydrodynamic force measurement and structural monitoring face increasingly stringent requirements. Strain sensors, as core devices in aerodynamic testing and structural monitoring, directly influence the accuracy and reliability of test data. However, traditional strain sensors often encounter challenges in harsh environments, such as strong electromagnetic interference and high temperatures, resulting in inaccurate measurements. In contrast, optical fiber strain sensors offer significant advantages in aerodynamic/hydrodynamic force measuring and structural monitoring due to their unique sensing capabilities. Therefore, in-depth research on optical fiber strain sensors is not only crucial for advancing testing technology but also provides substantial support for engineering practices in related fields. Firstly, the working principles and common types of optical fiber strain sensors are introduced, including optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors and optical fiber Fabry-Perot (FP) strain sensors. FBG sensors detect strain by measuring changes in the wavelength of light reflected by the grating, have high sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities. FP sensors utilize multi-beam interference principles to achieve high-precision strain measurements. These sensors are particularly suitable for complex fluid environments due to their miniaturization and resistance to interference. Next, based on FBG and FP strain sensors, their applications in force balance system and structure strain monitoring are discussed from two perspectives of aerodynamic/hydrodynamic force measurement and structure monitoring. Leveraging mature optical fiber strain sensing technology, optical fiber force balance can accurately measure the magnitude, direction, and application points of aerodynamic loads (including forces and moments) under complex conditions. At present, many research institutions at home and abroad mainly focus on FBG strain sensor and FP strain sensor two directions, among which the FP strain sensor research is more extensive and in-depth. FP sensors utilize minute optical interference effects within the fiber to sense strain changes, offering advantages such as high sensitivity, precision, and miniaturization, making them highly promising for force balance applications. Extensive research has shown that while optical fiber FP balances performs well in aerodynamic force measurement under high-speed and hypersonic harsh environments, their broadband measurement capabilities and high-precision measurement ranges still have room for improvement to better meet the demands of complex, ultra-fine flow field testing for hypersonic aircraft. In structure monitoring, optical fiber strain sensors are core equipment, due to their potential to provide high-density sensor coverage with minimal weight impact, they are widely regarded by the scientific community and industry as one of the most promising solutions for continuous, real-time structural monitoring in aerodynamic and hydrodynamic testing. Over the years, these sensors have been extensively applied in structural health monitoring by domestic and foreign research institutions and companies, particularly in studies involving FBG strain sensors. FBG strain sensors achieve high-precision strain measurements by detecting Bragg wavelength shifts caused by changes in the grating period and effective refractive index due to external strain. Numerous studies have demonstrated that FBG strain sensors, leveraging their high sensitivity and distributed measurement capabilities, can enable comprehensive, long-term monitoring of stress and deformation in complex structures. However, it is seriously disturbed by temperature and has a large temperature cross sensitivity coefficient. As an important measurement sensor, optical fiber sensors have been widely and deeply applied in the field of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic testing in recent years, achieving significant progress. Compared to traditional sensing technologies, optical fiber sensors demonstrate unique advantages in aerodynamic force measurement and structural strain monitoring. Their high sensitivity and quasi-distributed measurement capabilities enable comprehensive strain monitoring in complex structures, these difficult to achieve with traditional sensors. In extreme application environments requiring high accuracy, sensitivity, and stability, the advantages of optical fiber sensors are even more pronounced. This study aims to provide valuable insights for the future design and optimization of optical fiber sensors used in aerodynamic and hydrodynamic testing. As optical fiber sensors continue to evolve in terms of sensitivity, stability, and anti-interference capabilities, they will further drive advancements in aerodynamic and hydrodynamic testing technologies.