Defence

Defence Science and Technology Organisation

Fighting fit for ground based air defence

Physical fitness within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is more than just going to the gym to look good. Personnel need appropriate physical fitness levels to meet the demands of their job, without being at risk of injury, or burdening fellow soldiers. Importantly, physical fitness must be specific to an individual's role and trade. Studies show that physically weaker employees and individuals whose physical capabilities are not matched with their role have a higher risk of on-the-job injury than those who are stronger and appropriately matched.

By Alison Laing, Human Protection and Performance Division

16AD soldiers complete activities designed to assist DSTO in developing Physical Employmnet Standards.

So how can the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) help to ensure individuals are matched with, and fit for, their job? A team of Human Performance Scientists from DSTO have successfully completed the most recent phase of the Physical Employment Standards (PES) Project with the Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) trade. The project was endorsed by the ADF Chiefs of Service Committee as part of broader injury prevention strategies, with Defence Health Services as the Project Management Office. DSTO quantified the physical capabilities required in the GBAD trade and devised physical employment assessments (PEAs) to measure these capabilities in individual soldiers. In May 2007 DSTO returned to the 16th Air Defence (16AD) regiment to present their findings.

Injury within trades can result from individuals being unnecessarily exposed to risk or performing roles for which they do not possess appropriate physical capabilities. The aim of the PES Project is to develop PEAs which assess physical capability and subsequently guide job placement. The project also identifies and minimises unnecessary risks within trade-tasks. Workplace injuries have a significant impact on the ADF in terms of force preservation as well as financially. Ensuring personnel are physically capable of performing their job is a major step in reducing the impact.

Dr Simon Oldfield of DSTO highlighted the significance of the PES project when he commented that, "this has proven to be a very important project for the ADF, the outcomes of which will provide much needed assistance in providing Defence with better practices for preserving and retaining its workforce," he said.

"It is also an example of how quality human performance science can be of immense benefit to the ADF."

Physical employment standards for GBAD

The PES Project began with 16AD in 2006. The role and mission of the trade is to provide GBAD in support of ADF operations, which includes area defence, point defence, route defence and airfield defence. The GBAD capability is made up of three integrated operational detachments including the RBS-70 Detachment, Command Post Detachment and Radar Detachment.

In order to develop trade specific PEAs, it was first necessary to quantify the physical attributes required by soldiers operating in the three GBAD detachments. Initially DSTO met with subject matter experts to identify the most physically demanding and high risk trade-tasks within the trade. Secondly, a Trade-Task Field Observation (TTFO) was conducted to observe soldiers in staged activities and training exercises. During the TTFO, performance information (heart rate, metabolic rate and GPS data) was collected and a thorough trade-task risk analysis was performed. The team highlighted a number of risks which can be minimised through simple changes to equipment and standard operating procedures. These recommendations were well received by 16AD, with commanders keen to action the risk mitigation strategies suggested. These included doctrine changes, manual handling guidelines and tailored procurement through the Defence Materiel Organisation.

DSTO identified some unique physical attributes required by GBAD soldiers. Muscular strength and aerobic endurance capabilities are paramount, with soldiers often having to lift and carry heavy loads for prolonged periods. Additionally, GBAD soldiers are required to perform short bursts of high intensity activity, demanding a high anaerobic capacity. The quantified physical demands of the trade are to be added to the Manual of Army Employment by Director-General Personnel Army.

The PEAs that were developed simulate the movement patterns and energy systems involved in the three operational detachments, rather than measuring generic physical attributes. For example, strength capabilities are assessed by lifting progressively heavier weights onto the back of a 6x6 Landrover, as opposed to a standard gymnasium protocol. The aerobic endurance test is specific to GBAD because it incorporates a load carriage requirement. Therefore, it does not discriminate against heavier individuals the way a 2.4km unloaded run would. Muscular endurance is assessed with a jerry can carry exercise and anaerobic capacity is assessed via a missile reload simulation.

Determination of PEA standards was based on data collected during the TTFO, in consultation with subject matter experts. Three capability zones were set to facilitate risk management of personnel based on ability, rather than unnecessarily excluding otherwise capable soldiers. Forty-five soldiers from 16AD completed the PEAs in February to ensure standards were appropriate for operationally ready soldiers. The green zone represents the minimum physical capability level needed to perform trade-tasks safely. Medium and high risk standards are defined by amber and red zones respectively and identify individuals who have inadequate trade-specific fitness and are, therefore, predisposed to injury. Such individuals should be prescribed remedial physical conditioning and might temporarily be placed in less demanding roles. It is in this manner that the PEAs form risk management tools for commanders to minimise injuries and sustain performance.

Where to from here?

16AD soldiers complete activities designed to assist DSTO in developing Physical Employmnet Standards.

16AD implemented the PEAs immediately in preparation for Exercise Talisman Sabre. To provide duty of care to personnel, the PEAs were conducted for soldier selection onto the exercise. The assessments have a broad scope in addition to ensuring physical readiness for deployment. They can determine if soldiers are fit to return to work after injury or leave, and guide physical conditioning and job placement. It is hoped that the PEAs can also be used at Initial Employment Training to assist trade selection and deliver better conditioned personnel to the unit.

When DSTO returned to 16AD they were able to discuss the risk findings and recommendations as well as back brief the soldiers who participated in the project. Overall 145 GBAD personnel took part and DSTO appreciated the opportunity to demonstrate the applicability of the outcomes. The cooperation 16AD has given DSTO has been of immense value, without which the project would not have been as successful. The project is now moving to the next phase with Combat Services Support Battalion and DSTO is confident similar levels of success will be achieved.

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