Page 126 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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the daily energy de cit, had been having a disproportionate effect on the ability of Junior Intake Of cer Cadets to cope with the overall demands of the Commissioning Course – I am sure many of the readers are unsurprised by this statement, however all too often, we look at the root cause of injury in the physical context only. Whilst we know that increasing the intensity or volume of physical activity too quickly will result in injury and control that element quite well, however I’m sure many MBS readers have in the past ignored the effect of insuf cient sleep or calori c intake, whether that be as Instructors/Coaches or in the way we have managed our own training for performance – imagine how good we could have been (back in the day) if we optimally managed our physical output, sleep/recovery and energy balance through nutrition.
The Junior Intake Week 7 data comparison
at RMAS indicate that overuse injuries may be reduced by taking a multi-dimensional approach such as that articulated in the simple chart below. This is critical during the rst 14 weeks of the Commissioning Course when all up distance travelled on foot
hovers around the 1000km mark and OCdts are at the greatest risk of injury.
In summary, the work conducted initially by SSgt Kinsley and latterly Sgt Sharpe in the PT Wing has had a huge effect on reducing the injury rate at RMAS; it has been achieved by taking a scienti c, evidence based approach in order to in uence the key stakeholders across the Academy, this approach at Unit level might also be useful if we are to fully understand the causality and reduce the MSKI problem in the wider Army and Defence.
The “buy in” through engagement at all levels has been critical; no more so than that at the OCdt (as the Army’s future leaders), Plt CSgts and Plt Comd level. It has been the education, presentation of evidence and
Engage with Key
Stakeholders (Trainees/ Trg Staff)
Control/ Optimise Physical Output
Reduce Injury
Ensure Energy Output/ Input is in Balance
Optimise
Recovery Time (Sleep)
Fig 2: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Injury Risk Management
over the last 4 Intakes
resultant changes in the beliefs that have reversed the previous attitude and approach that to become a Commissioned Of cer, OCdts need to be physically thrashed and sleep deprived throughout the 44 week journey to marching up Old College steps on the Sovereigns Parade.
Each Year the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst puts a team together for a little friendly competition against the French and German Of cer Training Academies in what is called the
‘Tripartite Games’. This year it was our turn to be hosted by the French in St Cyr. The aim of the weekend trip was to learn a little from our European counterparts about how they do business and of course take part in a military skills and sports competition.
We weren’t exactly sure how the competition was going to run or what would be involved, however, the competitive streak in me wanted the RMAS team to outperform the other Academies on every level and I was looking forward to seeing what lay ahead. Surprisingly we found out on the Friday that each team would be made up of 3 Of cer Cadets from the UK, French and German Academies. This was a master stroke by our hosts as it broke any social barriers there may have been on the rst evening and encouraged all of the Of cer Cadets to integrate which was the whole point of the weekend.
The next morning we set about the nine different events to see how the teams were getting on and from a personal point of view I wanted to see how high the bar had been raised in terms of dif culty for when we do the hosting. A selection of the more demanding events comprised the following:
Jungle Assault Course: A short man made selection of tunnels and natural obstacles used to devastating effect which could only be completed using team work. All Cadets were guaranteed a decent combination of mud and water throughout.
Swimming Pool Obstacle Course: Again teamwork was required to get through the 400m course of oating obstacles and to guide the blindfolded team member across the pool.
Urban Orienteering: a 45 minute sprint around the Academy.
Obstacle Course: A normal looking course with the added twist of carrying a casualty around twice and a couple of grenade throws for good measure.
Maj (MAA) Bob Whitaker and SSgt J Mclellan and the Multi National Team
Equestrian Obstacle Course: This event put more fear into the OCdt’s than any other and was described by the French Staff as being lled with death defying stunts on a horse which turned the OCdt’s complexion a few shades lighter. The reality was unfortunately a little less exciting but the desired effect of raising anxiety levels was certainly achieved.
Indoor Shoot: A test of accuracy with a few short sprints in between each shoot.
After another long day it was a quick change into our No1’s for some ne dining. Our hosts for the evening provided us with excellent food, excellent wine and a few impromptu French songs that involved a lot of foot stamping and even a few notes whilst hiding underneath the dining tables, which is something I’ll probably never see again!
Sunday morning wrapped the weekend up nicely with the awards presented to the winning teams in each event and the overall winners. This was followed by the lighting of the Tripartite ame and a photo of all Academies on the hugely impressive St Cyr parade ground. After a light lunch we said our goodbyes and headed off for the long journey home. All in all an excellent weekend marred only by watching the England Rugby Team miss out on the Grand Slam by losing their nal game of the 6 Nations.
TRIPARTITE GAMES
SSgt (SSI) J Mclellan RAPTC