INCORPORATING OCCUPATIONAL-MEDICINE METHODOLOGY INTO MILITARY FITNESSFOR DUTY AND READINESS ISSUES

The need for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to know its personnel's fitness for duty and readiness status is one of the most significant criteria for determining their ability to complete the missions assigned to th em. This is especially critical in the current milieu of increasing de ployments. However, the USAF has a very limited program to meet this n eed. Occupation Medicine has had extensive experience in determining j ob requirements, assessing individuals, and monitoring performance ove r time. Further integrating Occupational Medicine methodology and the current state of scientific knowledge on physical performance is advoc ated to improve the USAF's ability to have a fit and ready force able to meet its burgeoning mission. This paper reviews the literature with the following recommendations: a) assess the physical fitness of the force given future demands due to readiness taskings and if necessary mandate individual and unit exercise and provide time for these activi ties; b) eliminate the weight management and cycle ergometry programs; c) establish physical fitness standards appropriate for each job as w ell as for initial entry into the USAF, these standards should incorpo rate ongoing testing, evaluation, and training; d) body fat should be treated only as a medical condition and not as an image standard; and e) establish case management teams to optimize the identification, tre atment, return to duty and medical boarding of personnel with injuries or subpar performance