Page 65 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

At the turn of the year the Chain of Command of 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) had an idea to review the current Battle Rhythm. The aim was to provide a more focused and streamlined Level 1,2 and 3 Physical Training Programme, implement Programme THOR and moreover, strive for the Commander Field Army’s target of 90% Deployability within the Regiment. It was agreed that a period of 4 months would be used to assess the value and productivity of the changes suggested, upon the close of the set period the Regiment would report their findings in statistical form, in order, to evaluate the effectiveness of the positive changes and Programme THOR.
Regimental Statistics
often without adequate opportunity to rehydrate and attain suitable nutritional supplementation. Onset of fatigue was a primary factor to facilitate this change.
Introduction to Strength and Stretching. In place of the Commanding Officers PT slot, usually an arduous event, is a Strength and Stretch session, utilising body weight, gym agility and flexibility to increase robustness and prevent injury of our chosen population.
Direct Access Physio / ERI Clinic. A direct access clinic has been made available to all personnel, an opportunity to ask questions and gain advice on all aspects of rehabilitation and recovery. This has also proven a good opportunity for the downgraded
personnel to update individual programmes set by the rehab team, moreover, an opportunity to build bridges between the Physio / ERI and Regimental personnel.
AAPTI CPD. Continued development of the AAPTI’s is vital to continue the knowledge base expansion of the AAPTI. Monthly Continued Professional Development (CPD) has now become mandatory for all AAPTI’s, supported by the Chain of Command, in conjunction with log book reviews. CPD has seen external instructors, subject matter experts and involvement from the physio and ERI. Moreover, the AAPTI’s have all been given the opportunity to complete a Strength and Conditioning Course Level 1 as part of their CPD, funded by the Regiment.
Knowledge Exchange. As part of the wider aim to educate Regimental personnel the Physio and RAPTCI have completed Regimental briefs, covering aspects including weight management, injury recovery, injury prevention and a quarterly question and answer session with the RAPTCI. This brief was used to dispel myths, gain advice and provide feedback on the Unit PT plan.
While the study is conducted over of a short time frame, many variables can be identified place doubt over the results found. To consolidate the findings on display, it is key to complete and study over an increased, academically acceptable period, more subjects and areas of focus, while reviewing the wider impact on the field Army. In short, the study found the changes made to the Regimental Battle rhythm and the implementation of Programme THOR, were a positive impact on injury reduction, fitness, education and Operational effectiveness. Programme THOR and the positive changes made by the Regiment have seen the deployability statistics increase in line with the intent of Commander Field Army.
A UNIT REVIEW OF PROGRAMME THOR
Sgt (SSI) AJ Wilson RAPTC
63
introduced to prepare the solider athlete for the demands of the role and future Operation. Education features heavily so that the soldier can train more effectively outside of the structured sessions and includes weekly sessions that you can complete on your own and as such complement the Unit PT programme. It may include a steady state run with additional strength and agility exercises.
There are three blocks with specific aims these are titled Foundation, Resilience and Specific. They are purposefully colour coded and transfer to every Unit in the British Army so that a transparent
understanding of the blocks is given to the Chain of Command (CoC), private soldier and RAPTCI. This gives clarity across the Unit and Field Army whilst allowing for a better understanding for the user in a joined-up approach giving all parties a clearer vision.
The message is transparent, we as an organisation must be intelligent, dynamic and adaptive in our approach to physical training. The APTS encapsulates these qualities to support the Unit CoC and integrates research to modernise PT of the soldier athlete to enhance fighting power of the British Army.
Liability
294
Strength
250 (85%)
MFD
204 (81.6%)
MLD(T)
8 (3.2%)
MLD(P)
27 (10.2%)
MND(T)
8 (3.2%)
MND(P)
3 (1.2)
PFA Failures
11 not including downgraded personnel on the A3 programme
Body Composition Measurement (BCM)
No Increased risk
150
Increased risk
74
High Risk
3
Very High Risk
9
Untested
14
Key Changes.
Battle Rhythm. Physical Training (PT) has traditionally taken place in the morning for all PT Levels 1 – 4. This raised concerns regarding the Soldiers’ hydration states, food intake and injury potential. Our first significant change was to move Level 3 PT to the afternoons. This change was implemented on the back of a literature review that concluded, PT later in the day was more productive in relation to physiological adaptations when compared to the morning PT sessions.
Level 1 and Level 2 PT. Level 1 and 2 personnel now have a specific PT programme, either A3 training package, MATT 2 fitness or ERI or Physio led group therapy sessions, incorporating rehabilitation, Strength and Conditioning, BCM education, functional analysis and output testing.
Adaptation of Commanding Officers (CO’s) PT. Changing CO’s PT was not a step taken easily, the theory of this change was that personnel who were taking part in the PT session, would then quickly be exposed to long periods of sitting, (usually in a car)