Page 32 - RADC 2023

New Fitness Requirements
Maj S Darke
Me again, on the topic of fitness, again, but this time on an area that affects us all.
Over the past few years, the fitness requirements for Service Personnel (SP) have changed. In Apr 22, the ITR (Individual Training Requirement) replaced the requirement for Army personnel to complete the MATTs, Basic Close Combat Skills, and the Soldier First Syllabus packages, which have been rescinded. Figure 1 shows what the ITR looks like. This article will provide information on Core Health and Fitness, specifically Soldier Conditioning Review (SCR) and Role Fitness Test (Soldier) (RFT(s)).
“Physical fitness is a fundamental requirement for every officer and soldier
to ensure that combat effectiveness, job performance, and general health are maintained. Furthermore, physical fitness
is an indispensable aspect of leadership, essential to the daily effectiveness and combat readiness of the Army. The degree of self-discipline required to gain – and retain
– high levels of physical fitness is inherent in the Army way of life and must be part of the character of every soldier.”
“In addition to role fitness, a satisfactory level of personal fitness is required. Personal fitness improves appearance, self-confidence, team cohesion and self-discipline, while reducing susceptibility to muscular fatigue, injury, mental stress, and ill health...”
Two direct quotes from ITR Core Health & Fitness, V2.3 Jan 23, stressing why fitness should be an important element of our
role, even those of us sitting in DPHC. I understand that the demand placed upon us to meet clinical targets, with the addition stress widespread under staffing and secondary duties, often mean that allocating time to fitness is put as a low priority. However, I hope the next section of this article will highlight why time for structured training is essential to allow staff to meet their training requirements.
The RFT(S) and SCR define the acceptable level of physical fitness testing and conditioning for all officers and soldiers (Regular and Reserve), to ensure that individuals are prepared for the physical and psychological demands of service
life, whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Completion of the SCR is a requirement for
Figure 2
Figure 1
all Regular Army personnel every 6 months, including those in non-deployable positions. RFT(S) must be completed every 12 months by personnel in an Army unit (so RADC personnel in a Medical Regiment Role) and Army personnel at R0 – R5. Army personnel in a non-deployable role, HQ or unit are
not required to complete this assessment yearly, DPHC(Dental) currently fall into this category. However, with the change in the JBA and the potential reduction in the 105 day notice to move, it is advised that SP within DPHC(Dental) maintain their fitness and be conditioned to complete the RFT(S).
SCR
The SCR is a gender and age neutral strength and conditioning diagnostic tool; this is not a test. It uses a series of gym- based exercises to indicate the overall physical conditioning of an individual across all the components of fitness. The aim of
the SCR is to measure the components of fitness, which are most closely associated with prevention of MSKI, improved performance on a wide range of military tasks, reduced susceptibility to fatigue and psychological stress, the maintenance of good health and the prevention of ill health. These components are upper and lower limb – explosive power and strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and mobility.
The SCR comprises of the following elements:
a. Body Composition Mass (BCM) b. Broad Jump
c. Medicine Ball Throw
d. Deadlift
e. Shuttle Sprints
f. Pull Ups
g. Aerobic 2km assessment run*.
*Alternative Aerobic Assessment exercises include the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT), people might know this as the bleep test,
and Bike Assessment (A3). The A3 has been developed to enable medically downgraded personnel to complete this element of the SCR
For each of these assessments there is a scoring matrix (Figure 2) which baselines an individual’s overall fitness condition, to best review an individual the SCR must be conducted at ‘best effort.’
Where SCR results indicate a higher risk of Musculoskeletal Injury, through a lack of physical Strength and Conditioning (Red / Amber zones), personnel are to be directed to attend reconditioning PT under the supervision of PT Staff.
Unlike the old PFA, where if you have a fair level of fitness and can run for a short distance at pace you can pass, the above serials require a greater level of conditioning and technique. This is particularly true for strength work, especially if we do not want staff receiving an injury for trying to lift weight incorrectly or when using explosive power to bound forwards.
30 RADC BULLETIN 2023
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