Project FORCE Fitness for Operational Requirements for CF Employment

1. Project FORCEFitness for Operational Requirements for CF Employment Tovah Fenske 4 Wing Fitness Coordinator NSCA & CSEP Certified Personal Trainer CanFitPro Fitness Instructor Specialist Yoga Alliance 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher

3. www.DFIT.ca • Register today for your personal account • Easily accessible from your DWAN computer, home computer or your smart devices • Win an iPod shuffle – register and email tina.cormier@forces.gc.ca NLT 1 Jan with one thing you like (or dislike) about the site • Each entry will receive 5 WCOMD Cup points

4. It’s Time for a new TEST • The current CF Expres test is 23 years old (since 1989) • “Soldiering” has changed • The aim is a test that is more task based • Looking for functional fit soldiers • One test…one standard…all ages & genders

5. BFOR – Bona Fide Occupational Requirement • In compliance with the charter of human rights • What any soldier might be expected to perform in an emergency situation

6. How is the test being developed? 6 Common Tasks • Picking and digging • Casualty evacuation (from a truck) • Stretcher carry & load • Sand bag fortification • Escape to cover • Pickets and wire

7. Casualty evacuation Picking & digging Escape to cover

8. Simple Simulations • Sand bag lifts • Sand bag drag • Farmers carry • 20 m loaded shuttles • 20 m rushes

9. Fitness Predictor Tests • 20 MSR • 20 metre Yo-Yo • Push ups • Hand grip • Back endurance • Plank (held) • Flexed arm hand • Wall sit

10. Data Collection • This project has been in development over the past 3 years • Job and task analysis across the bases & abroad • Just finished testing over 600 military members across the CF • Present findings to AFC in Nov/Dec for test selection

11. What could the new test look like? • The goal is a more task & simulated based test • 1 standard for all genders & environments • Deployable/employable standard • A combination of simple simulations, common tasks & fitness predictive tests

12. What could the new test look like? • May include a running test but may not • May not include push ups • The step test might be included as an option if there is a running component in the test • There will be some form of exemption program

13. When? • Meeting with AFC in Nov/Dec • Early January expected test announcement • 1 April 2013 phase in the new test

14. Phasing in options FY 2013-2014 • Expres test + try the new test • Complete and pass the new test • Fail the new test with no ramifications • Must pass EXPRES or new test by end FY 2013-2014 • Practice the new test for 4-6 months with “official” testing to be completed the remaining months in the FY • No penalties for failing the new test…so long as you obtain a pass prior to the end of the FY

15. Standards / Pass ability • Test standards will be drawn from the 6 common task standards • If you are currently IE or can easily meet the 35+ male MPFS (level 5 20MSR, 73 HG, 14 PU, 17 SU) you should be in a good place • Just meeting MPFS or unable to meet 35+male MPFS you may have a little work to do • Those failing by 2 PU or SU may pass the new test the first attempt

16. Standards / Pass ability • Those that are struggling now will likely continue to struggle – due to lack of physical fitness • The new test items have a high strength component – absolute strength • Smaller framed & those unaccustomed to manual labour type activities may need additional training • Strong, functional core fitness is key • Aerobic & anaerobic fitness base is important

17. What now? • Start training/implementing exercises/movements into PT classes and your own fitness regime • Once the new test/standards are announced we will offer open practice test times and add it to unit PT classes • This might be the boost that people need to make fitness part of their everyday

18. Remember PSP is here to help! Questions / comments? Email me your questions at tovah.fenske@forces.gc.ca Please take a moment to fill out our survey, your feedback is important to us!