Total Fitness for the 21st Century Warfighter:
A Conceptual Framework
Francis G. O’Connor, MD, MPHConsortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP)
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Objectives
Describe: – A Conceptual Framework for Total
Fitness Introduce Concepts Important to
Total Fitness: – Resilience– Human Performance Optimization
What is Fitness?
Fitness: The state or condition of
being physically sound and healthy, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition.
A state of general mental and physical well-being.
The state of being suitably adapted to an environment.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
What is Total Fitness?
Traditional Fitness
Physical Fitness– Strength– Endurance– Flexibility– Agility– Power– Speed
Total Fitness:The New Paradigm
MIND BODY
Total Fitness Domains
MIND BODY
Spiritual
Psychological
Behavioral
Social
Physical
Nutritional
Medical
Environmental
DoD Fitness Programs
Comprehensive Soldier Fitness
The program will focus on optimizing five dimensions of strength: Physical, Emotional, Social, Spiritual and Family.
This holistic approach to fitness will enhance the performance and build resilience of the Force in this era of persistent conflict and high operational tempo.
Comprehensive Soldier Fitness
MIND BODY
Emotional
Social
Spiritual
Physical
Physical, Emotional, Social, Spiritual and Family.
Family
What is Resilience?
“The Oak and The Reed” Aesop’s Fables
“…the winds for me are much less dangerous than for thee; I bend, not break.”– The Reed
Resilience
Resilience ≠ “hard”
Resilience = “hardy”
Arthur M. Nezu, PhD, ABPP
Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
The Resilient Warfighter:
• Able to adapt to new stressful situations
• Able to cope with new challenges
• Able to solve difficult problems in life
• Key word is “flexibility”
DCOE Warrior Resilience Conference 2009
Two Central Questions– Is the concept of resilience measureable
in military data? What are some of the characteristics of resilient
individuals? What are some characteristics of resilient units?
– Is “resilience” trainable? What evidence is required to convincingly show that a
program has made individuals more “resilient”?
LTC(P) Paul BlieseDirector, Division of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research3 November 2009
The Key Question?
Does improved “Total Fitness”
lead to Individual and Unit
Resiliency?
What is Human Performance
Optimization?
Human Performance Optimization
and Total Fitness
Russell, A; Bulkley B: Human Performance Modification Primer. Scitor Corporation, January 2007.
Human Performance Optimization: is the use of performance
biotechnologies to produce an operator and unit that is as good as possible as defined by their specific mission, not just above baseline.
Tools of Human Performance Optimization
Nutraceuticals/Pharmaceuticals– Compounds that alter bodily function via one or more multiple
mechanisms.
Techniques/Practices– Processes or methods that enhance a specific attribute of human
performance.
Equipment/Machines– Biotechnologies that modify a warfighter’s performance by creating
products that better interface with the human to improve overall performance.
Genes– Biotechnologies that interact with the human genome to affect,
standard physical, cognitive, or socioemotional qualities in humans, or allow us to optimize performance based upon genetic data.
Department of DefenseHuman Performance Optimization
August 20, 2009
Mr. Jeff Sventek, Health Policy AnalystForce Readiness and Health Assurance
Force Health Protection and Readiness Programs
Health Affairs: HPO Defined
Human Performance Optimization (HPO) is the process of applying knowledge, skills, and emerging technologies to
improve and preserve the capabilities of DoD personnel to execute essential tasks
USSOCOM Definition
Human Performance Optimization: – Process of applying knowledge,
skills, and emerging technologies to improve and preserve the capabilities of DoD personnel to execute essential military tasks in operational environments.
For further information please contact:[email protected]
Dr. Francis G. O'Connor, COL, MC, USAMedical Director, Uniformed Services University Consortium for Health and Military PerformanceAssociate Professor301 295-2270 [email protected]
Dr. Patricia Deuster, Ph.D., M.P.H.Scientific Director, Uniformed Services University Consortium for Health and Military PerformanceProfessor301 295-3020 [email protected]
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