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Shaw's 'fit to fight' stature improves

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Since the Air Force's Fit-to-Fight Program was established in 2004, there has been much improvement in the physical fitness of Shaw's Airmen, said Ms. Penny Cook, 20th Aeromedical-Dental Squadron health and wellness fitness program manager.

"I have seen a significant increase in the physical health of the Airmen," Ms. Cook said. "Since May 2005, members in the marginal or poor fitness category have been reduced by 50 percent."

According to AFI 10-248, "Fitness Program," every Airman, whether they be active duty, Reserve or Guard, has to perform an annual fitness test consisting of push-ups, crunches, an abdominal circumference measurement and a 1.5-mile run or a cycle ergometry test if the person is not cleared for the run, Ms. Cook said.

The score they receive determines their overall fitness ability. An Airman who receives a score lower than 69.9 percent is placed in the poor category. If the score is between 70 and 74.9 percent, the Airman is placed in the marginal category. A score of 75 percent or better places Airmen in the good and excellent categories.

"Airmen who score in the marginal or poor category must attend the Healthy Living Program within 10 duty days after their fitness assessment," Ms. Cook said. "Depending on the fitness score, the program is either a two- or three-hour class, which is focused on helping members get on the right track to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The class focuses on three things: behavioral change, nutrition and exercise."

The behavioral change component focuses on successful strategies to ensure program success, she said. The strategies help Airmen set goals to improve their fitness.

The nutrition component discusses nutrition, balanced diet and healthy food selection, Ms. Cook said.

The exercise component focuses on developing specific training variables critical to fitness improvement, she said.

"I think the Healthy Living Program along with other education intervention classes provided by the health and wellness center is one of the main reasons for the improvement of fitness at Shaw," Ms. Cook said.