Optimizing Operational Physical Fitness

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RTO TECHNICAL REPORT TR-HFM-080

Optimizing Operational Physical Fitness


The revised spectrum of NATO missions requires a new approach to operational physical fitness.
Specifically, a new necessity to define, assess, evaluate and optimize physical capability by setting appropriate criteria and methodologies was identified by an exploratory team that met in Spain in 2002. As a result of the exploratory meeting, HFM-080/Research Task Group 019 on “Optimizing Operational Physical Fitness” was established “to determine the requirement for physical fitness for military personnel in order to prepare military personnel for physical task requirements, to prevent physical overburdening, and to reduce injuries.” (Annex VIII AC/323 (HFM)A/9). In order to optimize the physical capacity of soldiers by setting appropriate criteria and evaluation methodologies, members of HFM-080 reviewed mission essential task lists (METL) and types of missions undertaken by NATO forces in the past and present. The physical demanding tasks of digging, marching and manual materials handling were identified by members as being the key common tasks performed in recent and current NATO missions (humanitarian, peace-keeping, conflict resolution, counter-terrorism, etc.). As well, the identification of these common tasks was derived from a review of other pertinent
military documents. HFM-080 members agreed that the common physically demanding military tasks of marching, digging, and manual materials handling would each be described in individual chapters, and in terms of intensity and duration, physiological requirements, testing to predict performance, and training to improve performance. A chapter of this report is dedicated to summarizing the research being conducted on an evidence based job analysis and methodology to determine the physical requirements of special military occupations (Special Operation Forces – Austrian Army). In addition, factors outside the training realm that influence performance on these military tasks are summarized. These factors are either individual (intrinsic) or environmental (extrinsic) characteristics. The intrinsic factors considered are age,
gender, body dimensions, and genetics. The extrinsic factors that considered are effects of nutrition (including hydration), heat, cold, altitude, clothing, and extended operations. An Appendix on preemployment screening tests and active duty testing of Common Military Task (CMT) performance used by various NATO countries was compiled and included in this Report, which will provide information for Staff Officers and serve as a reference.