CommunityEditor
09-06-2009, 06:16 PM
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Majors at Command and General Staff College are learning more than the art and science of the profession of arms. Students also learn the caloric value of a McDonald’s Happy Meal and find out whether they’re walking around with unchecked health problems.
For example, 50 percent of the majors who have participated in a health assessment were pre-hypertensive, according to the Army Physical Fitness Research Institute, which began conducting the assessments for CGSC students last year. In other words, they were close to going above the threshold for high blood pressure and didn’t know it, said Col. Thomas Williams, director of APFRI.
The assessment is voluntary and includes a consultation and education program aimed at preventing problems and keeping soldiers fit. A similar assessment would cost up to $5,000 for civilians, Williams said.
“I did it so I would know where I was physically, and also being competitive by nature, you want to see where you stand compared to your peers,” said Maj. James Moyes, an infantry officer who found out his blood pressure was high in spite of his devotion to aerobic fitness. “I found out it was a combination of stress and diet.”
Moyes said he has lowered his blood pressure as a result of the exercise and nutrition regimen APFRI helped him establish.
Participants make an appointment online and provide their medical history. In the three-hour assessment, they receive nutritional information. They have blood tests, blood-pressure, heart-rate and body-fat checks, and undergo strength and flexibility tests.
Feedback is given on the spot during a 30-minute consultation with a staff that includes registered nurses, dieticians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists and clinical psychologists.
Then, during their time at CGSC, the majors can attend classes on topics such as high cholesterol and weight training.
Williams said the program is a vehicle to identify problems and anticipate what could become a problem in two to three years. Participants with medical conditions are referred for treatment.
The assessment was established 26 years ago for colonels attending the War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and five years ago was extended to students at the Sergeant Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas. APFRI will soon be available to soldiers in Advanced Noncommissioned Officer courses, the Warrant Officer Career Course and civilians in the Army Management Staff College.
Article: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/09/army_majors_090609w/
For example, 50 percent of the majors who have participated in a health assessment were pre-hypertensive, according to the Army Physical Fitness Research Institute, which began conducting the assessments for CGSC students last year. In other words, they were close to going above the threshold for high blood pressure and didn’t know it, said Col. Thomas Williams, director of APFRI.
The assessment is voluntary and includes a consultation and education program aimed at preventing problems and keeping soldiers fit. A similar assessment would cost up to $5,000 for civilians, Williams said.
“I did it so I would know where I was physically, and also being competitive by nature, you want to see where you stand compared to your peers,” said Maj. James Moyes, an infantry officer who found out his blood pressure was high in spite of his devotion to aerobic fitness. “I found out it was a combination of stress and diet.”
Moyes said he has lowered his blood pressure as a result of the exercise and nutrition regimen APFRI helped him establish.
Participants make an appointment online and provide their medical history. In the three-hour assessment, they receive nutritional information. They have blood tests, blood-pressure, heart-rate and body-fat checks, and undergo strength and flexibility tests.
Feedback is given on the spot during a 30-minute consultation with a staff that includes registered nurses, dieticians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists and clinical psychologists.
Then, during their time at CGSC, the majors can attend classes on topics such as high cholesterol and weight training.
Williams said the program is a vehicle to identify problems and anticipate what could become a problem in two to three years. Participants with medical conditions are referred for treatment.
The assessment was established 26 years ago for colonels attending the War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and five years ago was extended to students at the Sergeant Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas. APFRI will soon be available to soldiers in Advanced Noncommissioned Officer courses, the Warrant Officer Career Course and civilians in the Army Management Staff College.
Article: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/09/army_majors_090609w/