A division of CF Morale & Welfare Services Une division des Services de bien-être et moral des FC
PSP DIRECTOR OF FITNESS PROMOTING WELLNESS FITNESS AND SPORTS VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM
Message from DFit 2 Great Work In The Field Blast Off the Pounds 9
Force Equipment 2 PSP Supports The Royal Roadrunner 10
Did You Know 2 Canadian Navy 6 Congratulation PSP 10
Fitness Profile/Incentive Program 3 A Busy Summer in Bagotville! 6 Eileen du Plooy 10
Get Ready For... Sports Day in Canada 4 Teamwork Working 7 DFit HQ Takes On Prison Break 11
6th Military World Games 2015 4 Garrison Games 2014 Christine Charron 11
DFit Becomes a NASA Consultant 5 – Health Promotion/PSP Toronto 7 Meet PSP Shearwater 12
Borden Celebrates 7th Annual
and Fitness Day 8
MESSAGE FROM DFIT
On the 22nd of August I had a chance It’s important that we take the time to FORCE to attend Dave Shirley’s retirement appropriately recognize these individuals luncheon in Gagetown and present him for their contribution but more Equipment with his retirement certificate on behalf importantly that we continue to build As highlighted in previous of CFMWS. Dave, a former PERI and on the strong foundation they’ve helped communications, the way-forward member of 2 RCR has been a staple of create. for additional purchases of FORCE equipment remains with equipment the Gagetown PSP fitness staff since the being made available through a stand-up of PSP in 1997. I was fortunate NMSO (Standing Offer). DFIT has Two principles which we should never provided the technical specs and a enough to share an office with Dave lose sight of are: draft statement of work (SOW) to during my time as a Fitness and Sports Chief Military Personnel Procurement i. While degrees, diplomas and staff to assist them in the public Instructor and I count myself lucky to certifications provide a solid procurement process. While CMP have had Dave show me the ropes during is now the project lead, DFIT will foundation, they mean very little to my early years with PSP. continue to stay engaged and support our clients unless you are able to lead the overall process but given that this is now within a public procurement from the front; and framework delays remain a possibility. Such an experience is certainly not We would recommend that local staff ii. No matter your role within PSP, if you unique to me. Most of us have probably take the necessary steps to extend/ ground your decisions and focus your preserve FORCE testing equipment had a former PERI/ PERO to assist with stock. Should the procurement efforts in areas that most contribute our transition to working within military exercise extend beyond 10 months PSP to improving physical performance, HQ would then consider facilitating environment. New PSP Fitness, Sport wellness and operational readiness another purchase of FORCE equipment and Health Promotion staff may not be through DFit HQ (NPP). more often than not you will succeed. as fortunate as the number of former PERIs and PEROs within PSP continue to decrease as more of them approach their Thanks Dave and all the best retirement eligibility age. to you and Nancy on a Fit and Did You Healthy Retirement! Know? A FSI can conduct personal training or fitness programming for any PSP clients (including PSP Recreation clients) as part of their normal FSI job and would be covered by the NPP consolidated insurance program when doing so. This could be done during “normal working hours” or as overtime. However, as Personal Training of non-CAF members is not a public responsibility and not the primary role of FSIs, Directors must ensure that the work does not interfere with the Fitness and Sports work and that cost for any time spent doing non-CAF personal training is charged to the Recreation budget and not the Fitness and Sports budget. For more information contact [email protected] 2 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM MESSAGE FROM DFIT
Fitness Profile/Incentive Program:
The Fitness Profile/Incentive Program was relationship between FORCE performance We’ve had very little push back regarding briefed to Armed Forces Council (AFC) on and VO2max has been validated by DFit the waist circumference measurement, 13 May 2014. Subsequent briefs were R&D) and includes waist circumference and the eFit data collection solution provided to Base and Wing Fitness and (there is a strong relationship between using the iPad minis is proving to be Sports Directors during Regional Sports waist circumference, mortality and a great success so far but much work Director meetings while DFIT and Local morbidity) to address healthy body remains. We are preparing for another PSP teams also trialed the proposed composition, providing a general picture AFC brief in December and continuing our program in Kingston (CJOC), Edmonton of physical fitness (Figure 1). The results engagement with DIM Secure and Shared (CA), Esquimalt (RCN) and Greenwood thus far have been very positive with Services to address the IM/IT challenges (RCAF). In total 625 CAF personnel CAF members and PSP staff alike both that go with such an endeavor. This is participated in the sessions spread over 5 appreciating the visual feedback of the a DFIT priority activity and all signs are weeks in May and June. The Fitness Profile profile and the overall group picture it can positive for a full trial within the first 6 uses the FORCE Evaluation performance represent (Figure 2). months of FY 2015/2016. to predict aerobic capacity (a strong
Figure 1
Figure 2
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM 3 GET READY FOR… 6th SPORTS DAY IN CANADA Military World RBC Sports Day in Canada, presented by Be sure to officially register your event at Games 2015 ParticipACTION, CBC and True Sport, will cbcsports.ca/sportsday : Denis Gaboury, Canadian be held on November 28-29, 2014 in CAF • All registered events will appear on Forces Sports Manager, PSP HQ Ottawa communities from coast to coast to coast. the in-show ticker during the RBC Commodore Mark Watson, Director This national celebration of sport, from Sports Day in Canada broadcast on General Morale and Welfare Services, accepts an invitation to the 6th Conseil grassroots to high performance, is an November 29 on CBC; International du Sport Militaire (CISM) opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate • Those registered online before 30 Military World Games from Colonel the power of sport, build community September will receive a FREE event Choi Jang Min, the Republic of Korea’s and national spirit, and facilitate healthy, Defence Attaché to Canada. The celebration kit (while supplies Military World Games will be held active living! last) with posters, tattoos, and fun in Mungyeong, Korea from October
promotional items; and 2-11, 2015. Over the course of 10 days, thousands of military athletes • Your location could receive a from over 100 countries will compete
$2,000 grant from ParticipACTION to in 24 sports. For the Canadian Armed Forces, the Military World Games will help enhance your event. also provide a special opportunity to recognize the service of Canada’s Korean War Veterans. Please use the following website to help
you plan and promote your RBC Sports
Day in Canada event:
http://sportsday.cbc.ca/eventtools
4 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM DFIT becomes a NASA consultant.
By Pat Gagnon, Senior Manager Human Performance, PSP HQ Ottawa
NASA was looking at putting together a group of experts to discuss critical mission tasks for astronauts. The organisers spoke with a few of their American colleagues who suggested they should invite the “Canadians” because they (us) had done some very good work in this field recently. So I received an invite from one of the senior scientists from the exercise physiology laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston to join a panel of experts that would meet in Houston, Texas in July.
The working group convened at the Lunar and Planetary Institute of the Universities Space Research Association, nearby NASA headquarters in Houston on July 17-18. Seven external experts joined 9 NASA researchers to discuss the potential demands of a future mission to Mars. I was the only non-American on the panel. Some of us presented our respective areas of work in order to set the stage for the discussion. The panel was very impressed by the information they received on Project FORCE and were amazed at the level of detail that went in to our task analysis, our measurements and in developing our new fitness standards. Although NASA has some of the brightest minds in the world thinking about very complex issues, having a very concrete “real life” application of a fitness standard was certainly eye-opening for many.
The working group discussion revolved around how to select and prepare astronauts for a potential mission to Mars that would require no less than 6 months of transit to the red planet aboard a very small vehicle, performing a 15-month mission on the ground followed by another 6-month return trip back to Earth At this stage, we brainstormed on various fitness requirements and fitness training (and testing) options based on a variety of tasks and environments that astronauts could possibly encounter. We finished off our trip with a backstage visit to various laboratories at the Johnson Space Centre where we got to see up close the different space suits, the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory where all the modules of the ISS are reproduced in a 40-foot deep massive pool and where astronauts get to rehearse their Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA) in a simulated microgravity environment; get a demo of the various simulators for movement in 0 to 1G and see the different iterations of lunar and Mars rovers. All in all, it was a very interesting and enriching experience.
This opportunity is a result of the quantity and quality of work of the DFIT team over the past 6 years, as it has been highly praised in the scientific community. Our reputation for rethinking set models or simply thinking “outside the box” and coming up with innovative solutions now speaks for itself. To all that have had any kind of involvement in this journey, big or small, I say thank you.
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM 5 GREAT WORK IN THE FIELD PSP supports the Royal Canadian Navy… by sending Fitness Sports and Recreation Coordinator, Corbyn Ing from CFB Borden, to provide Morale and Welfare support aboard the HMCS ATHABASKAN during OP CARIBBE. During a stop in Baltimore, the US forces were celebrating the war of 1812. Several international naval forces participated in the celebrations. The image is of HMCS ATHABASKAN’s fleet soccer team prior to a match against the British. Corbyn Ing is third from the left in the back row.
A BUSY SUMMER IN BAGOTVILLE!
Jessica Turcotte, Fitness and Sports Instructor, CFB Bagotville FORCE and the firefighters In May we received a visit from the DFit research and development team from Ottawa, who were conducting a study to determine whether the requirements of the FF PFMP reflect those of the FORCE evaluation. This was a positive experience for the firefighters who participated in the evaluations as well as for the PSP team that helped administer the tests.
The firefighters were encouraged to work to the maximum of their abilities during the two tests in order to produce valid results for the study. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken, something the participants greatly appreciated. They were more motivated by the FF PFMP given that it is specific to their profession and that they always aim to surpass their previous best results. They appreciated having the opportunity to take part in the FORCE evaluation since it gave them a chance to experience the physical demands the evaluation involves and how they stood in relation to the Canadian Forces’ minimum standards. They found the FORCE evaluation easier than the FF PFMP, partly because of the rest time between each task.
For the PSP instructors, actively participating in this research project was worthwhile because it gave us an opportunity, among other things, to see a portion of all the work done by the Ottawa team behind every decision concerning physical evaluation of military personnel. Given how important it is to ensure that all components of the evaluation process are standardized during a scientific study, we were pleased to see that the way we conduct routine tests is consistent with the approach taken in the study. We were able to confirm that we are administering tests in a professional manner that is in accordance with protocol.
In short, this time spent working as a team with the research and development people from Ottawa was very pleasant and motivating. Everyone enjoyed the experience and is eager to learn about the findings from this study.
6 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM method, but now includes the following • FSI then leads cool down and static “Teamwork components: stretching; Working” • Health Promotion delivers National • IR team and participants then return statistics and the research behind to classroom – PES leads the program; participants through discussion Health Promotion Team, CFB highlighting the main areas to focus Kingston • Physiotherapist provides local on to create behaviour change; statistics and addresses myths • HP wraps the program up and In 2010 Health Promotion, Strengthening around injuries in sport and physical activity; provides an evaluation to the Forces (HP-STF), implemented the participants; Injury Reduction Strategies for Sports • Physiotherapist introduces & Physical Activity (IR) program. When the theoretical component on Our Injury Reduction Team (IRT) has our local Kingston HP-STF office received proper running technique; united to exceed the expectations of the new program we recognized our members and offer an exceptional the potential of partnering with our • All of the IR facilitation team and training program. Using feedback colleagues to make this an exceptional participants observe volunteers provided by CAF leadership and program to offer to Garrison Kingston. running on the treadmill while being personnel, we have enhanced a In order to enhance the participants critiqued on running nationally standardized program, learning experience, Sharon Ash, Health technique by the Physiotherapist; evolving it into a preventative injury Promotion Manager, took the lead in reductions masterpiece. By utilizing organizing and inviting subject matter • Fitness & Sports Instructor (FSI), assisted by the IR team the knowledge, skills and experiences experts to the table to create an IR of local Subject Matter Experts, we program that would be relevant to our leads participants through a practical component, which have created a dynamic, educational Garrison participants. Working as a workshop focussed on increasing team, Health Promotion Fitness (RMC includes, a warm-up and dynamic stretching; prevention and decreasing injuries and Base), the Physical Exercise Specialist at Garrison Kingston. The IRT meets (PES) and the Base Physiotherapist came • FSI then guides the participants regularly to update best practices together to develop a program that is through proper running technique and keep the IR material current and now theoretical and practical based. – entire IR team is present to relevant. observe and provide feedback The program was originally implemented to participants; For more information contact as a power point lecture delivery [email protected] Garrison Games 2014 - Health Promotion/PSP Toronto Jessica Hood, A/HPD Toronto The CAF Health and Wellness Challenge 12 teams total registered to compete and, was held in May and in support, Health many more came to spectate and cheer on Promotion Toronto launched several events their favourite team. Prizes were awarded in partnership with the PSP FS&R team in for first and second place as well as team order to encourage CAF and DND members spirit. With interest sparked, teams showed to make wellness a priority. Among the up with creative team names, and full events offered were lunch and learns and uniforms, which really helped to embrace fitness classes designed specifically for the spirit of the games. Following the those registered in the CAF Health and event, a healthy lunch was provided to all Wellness Challenge. The Garrison Games, participants and spectators. which was the final event, was held on This event was the first the 29th of May. This was a Garrison wide of its kind held in Toronto, event designed to motivate Toronto in and won’t be the last! becoming more active and conscious of From the overwhelming their health and wellness. positive response it will The concept was simple, register become an annual event teams of 4, move through 10 different to support the CAF Health stations, which would challenge different and Wellness Challenge. components of your physical and mental Although lead through Health fitness and collect as many points as Promotion, the FS&R, Toronto possible. Stations included mental team, along with several challenges such as puzzles and Health volunteers made the Garrison Games Promotion quizzes, to physical challenges an exciting and successful experience for such as an agility course, aspects of FORCE, everyone involved. and rowing.
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM 7 Godbout, the Base Chief. “This morning the military as well. It’s very important.” Borden was a bit like the Olympics, the morale The day wrapped up with the first ever was up there, and people were going for military trade challenge demonstration, celebrates a good day of fun together and staying in which wowed the crowd as a number shape, which is always great.” of units competed against each other 7th annual The morning began with an outdoor, using trade related physical tasks in a PSP-led warm-up led by PSP that saw team challenge format. “It’s so exciting! a sea of people moving, dancing and Every year we are getting more and Health and stretching. The day’s activities began more participation..., all the partners and with the first annual RCAF Run, a members are committed to the strategy, Fitness Day successful debut with a large group which is awesome!” commented Valerie of participants. This was followed by Savard, the former Fitness and Sports By Leighsah Millward, Borden PSP led fitness workshops in several Director. PSP Mgr, Jen Goodfellow Citizen - Modified by Mike disciplines such as rope training, yoga, remarked, This is PSP’s biggest annual Pridding, Fitness Coordinator, tactical athlete training, kettle bells, and event and it just wouldn’t be possible CFB Borden rock climbing to name a few, as well as without the support of the Command a 25 KM bicycle ride around the local Teams and their units organizing, Thousands of CFB Borden staff and area. There were even sessions about promoting and participating in the event. students gathered at the Andy Anderson Financial Health to help people eliminate Being responsible for the delivery of Arena on May 30th to participate in the stress from their lives. Morale and Welfare to the Canadian 7th annual Health and Fitness Day, a PSP “I love it, I think it’s really good that Armed Forces is our honour, but the initiative to help us all build enthusiasm PSP puts on these events, just to members have to be willing. That’s what about getting active and staying healthy. re-emphasize all the already existing makes it all worthwhile.” “(A) Healthy mind and healthy body programs that they have,” commented make perfect person, so if you stay fit participant, Sgt Helen Pagiatakis. your mind works well, you connect well “It brings everyone together and with other people and that’s what the emphasizes how we should have this base is all about: connecting people healthy living and activities in our daily together, achieving things together, lives and in our future after we get out of and it feels great,” commented CWO
8 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM We have had some surprising Blast off the results since the beginning of pounds this experiment. The average age of our participants (ages Pascal Vincent, Director 25 to 62) is 40. The average Health Promotion, St-Jean, QC amount of weight lost during the course of the 12-week Blast off the pounds (BOP) is a program program is 12.4 lbs (between 2 that fills a local need. A number of lbs and 41.3 lbs). In addition to people who were overweight were weight loss, we have noticed a having difficulty taking their annual pronounced increase in physical physical test and were dealing with capacity. But what is most specific medical conditions or physical striking are the participants’ disabilities. For the past several years comments, which attest to a the health promotion team had been genuine change in lifestyle, stepping up the number of nutrition substantial improvement in workshops being offered but had their medical conditions, a not been noticing any change in this reduction in the amount of situation. medication they are taking and even changes in their medical BOP, which is based on the STF classifications. With a program programming, is being offered in like this, we can truly say that collaboration with the physical fitness we are changing lives! team to sedentary people who need to lose weight. The aim of this 12-week program is to change lifestyle habits. The program deals with nutrition (through the eight modules of the STF program’s Weight Wellness workshop) as well as the principles of physical training and injury prevention. It also includes a visit to the grocery store and pre- and post-program evaluations. Participants commit to work out three times a week and to attend the theory sessions in the classroom. Candidates are selected through an interview and are supported by their supervisors.
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM 9 Roadrunner CONGRATULATION PSP Jessica Turcotte, CFB Bagotville Eileen Du Plooy FSI at
Another event that motivated military CFB Halifax soars up Canadian members in Bagotville this year was the RoadRunner competition organized powerlifting ladder by the Fitness team. This was the third incarnation of this competition and it took place in June. The exercises vary In her third official competition, Eileen won the gold medal in the 158-pound open from one edition to the next but the basic approach remains the same, with female category at the Canadian Powerlifting Championships in St. Catharines, ON teams of four taking part in a series of relays that call for intense effort in the April 2014, where she lifted 880 pounds in total. Lucas Hardie, also an FSI in Halifax, shortest length of time possible. The encouraged her to start lifting about a year ago after watching her break National atmosphere was supercharged; there were nine teams present and all of the records. She is grateful for her support network that includes her coaches, athletes were motivated and very well trained. Hardie and Brian George, whom she relies on for feedback and assistance.
RoadRunner 3.0 was a success in terms of how smoothly the activity went as Picture by the Halifax Harold well as the level of participation and enthusiasm it generated. Given the perennial success of this competition, the PSP team intends to continue the tradition and to make it a mid- year event in order to motivate the troops to set objectives, improve their physical condition during this period and test their physical limits through the competition. The military athletes as well as the PSP team at Bagotville are already looking forward to the 4th edition, slated for this fall!
10 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM DFit HQ CONGRATULATION PSP takes on 15th FINA World Masters Prison Break Championships
September 13th 2014, DFit HQ teamed up Christine Charron (CAF Sports for a day of fun in the mud and cold water Coordinator, PSP HQ) competed in the 15th during the 5km ‘Prison Break’ obstacle World Master Championship in Montreal, course event at the Vorlage downhill where 6000 athletes participated in the ski hill in Wakefield Quebec. A balmy 6 swimming events, from 97 countries. While degree start and a day of rain was not she competed in 5 events her top 2 included: enough to kill the team spirit Pat Gagnon, 1. 6th in age group (out of 47) in the 800m SMHP fostered when he challenged a freestyle, 2nd Canadian. group of 12 of us to go have some fun… 2. 7th in age group (out of 36) in the 400m together. freestyle, 3rd Canadian.
Back Row - Left to right Phil Newton, Daryl Allard, Denis Couturier, Kara-Lee Casselman, Sarah Saucier, Barry Stockbrugger, Mark Carlson, Sylvie Fortier Front Row – Left to right Jacquie Laframboise, Pat Gagnon, Brianne Lauzier
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM 11 MEET PSP SHEARWATER
Take a walk through our Community Recreation Fitness and Sports supports all the standard fare, daily classes facilities… is also important to our featuring TRX, Functional training, spin and strength training. We have a very 12 Wing Shearwater Fitness and Sports community as they … active pool program and a successful offers a variety of facilities for both • Work closely with the Shearwater Military swim team. Our sports teams the outdoor fitness and recreational Community Council putting on are some of the best in the country enthusiasts. These facilities include the the annual community clean-ups, and this success is generated through Shearwater Fitness and Sports Centre beautification contests and our grass roots programs and ongoing which houses a large gymnasium, Christmas decorating contests. recruitment. Our intersection hockey weight room, spin room, cardio room, program has many teams playing in one squash court, two functional fitness • Team up with the Military multiple divisions and we have created rooms and a six lane 25 meter pool. police putting on the Annual Bike leagues to permit our two Old-timer’s, Next door to the gymnasium is the Rodeo. one + 45 team and our Women’s team to Shearwater Flyers Forum which features • Team up with the Halifax and Region have an avenue to play. Our fitness and a 180’x80’ ice surface which is also Military Family Resource Center for sports programs are always changing to known as the “best ice surface” in Halifax the annual Volunteer Recognition meet the latest demands. We have also Regional Municipality. Outdoor facilities event. been creative with indoor and outdoor consist of an outdoor beach volleyball spaces to provide some new training court, a skateboard park, two tennis • Host an Annual Winter Wonderland options, converted two British size courts, one softball field, one soccer field special event for military families at squash courts into Functional training with a running track and an outdoor ball the Halifax forum in December. rooms which are extremely popular. hockey court. We also have an outdoor • Deliver a variety of fitness classes We have an outdoor training area with fitness equipment area located near the taking place during the evening or multiple fitness stations that we will be soccer field. All of these facilities are on the weekends. Currently classes expanding shortly. utilized by the members of CFB Halifax are being offered in step aerobics, for their PT training or Unit sports days. spinning, and yoga. After hours the 12 Wing and surrounding communities benefit greatly and fully • Offer a very popular hockey skills utilize the facilities 12 Wing Shearwater program for military youth. has to provide.
Back Row - Left to right Sandy MacIntosh – Fitness & Sports Instructor, Joanne Swift – Facility Coordinator, Danielle Cote – Fitness & Sports Instructor, Heather Arbour – Recreation Coordinator, Wally Buckoski – Sport stores Technician, Stacey Robichaud – Community Recreation Director, Scott Kay – Arena Manager, Jason Price – Fitness & Sports Coordinator Front Row – Left to right Eileen DuPlooy – Fitness & Sports Instructor, Kevin DeLong – Fitness and Sports Director, Gloria Pitman – F, S & R Admin Assistant
12 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2014 • WWW.CFMWS.COM