Let’s get physical in tests

By Corporal Simone Liebelt

AC Daniel Sutliff, an ADG trainee, grits his teeth in an attempt to propel himself over a wall during testing for the Physical Employment Standards study.

Photo by LAC Andrew Eddie

* 71 ADGs tested at RAAF Base Amberley as part of the PES project. Individuals wore more than 20 kg of weight while performing physically demanding tasks. University of Ballarat staff measured heart rate and core temperature.

TWO weeks of physically demanding tasks put Airfield Defence Guards to the test in the name of research.

A group of 71 ADGs from No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron and the RAAF Security and Fire School participated in activity testing at RAAF Base Amberley recently, as part of the Physical Employment Standards (PES) project.

Run by the University of Ballarat, the $2.5 million project aims to develop appropriate physical employment standards for the ADF combat arms to help prevent injury and manage occupational health and safety issues.

Known as the normative data collection phase, the testing involved ADGs performing a range of set tasks, selected as the most physically strenuous undertaken as part of their job.

Warrant Officer Nick Bandy, the Physical Training Project Officer for Headquarters Combat Support Group, said both experienced and trainee ADGs were tested to represent the varied skill and fitness levels within the mustering.

The individual tasks, undertaken as part of a group, included box and jerry can lifts, 1.8m wall climb from running and standing starts, 5km sustained patrol, leopard crawl and pursuit and assault activities.

Participants wore more than 20kg of weight, including ballistic vest, helmet and Steyr, with some tests involving a lighter load as an incremental approach. University personnel recorded individual heart rate and core temperature measurements, and each test was video recorded.

“Initial tests involved some fitness tests very similar to the PFT and other anthropometric measures,” Warrant Officer Bandy said.

“All tests conducted allowed for appropriate recovery time, and members were not asked to do anything that they would not normally do as part of their job. “They were, however, asked to do their best for each test, and all members appeared to give 100 per cent.

“I think participants got personal satisfaction out of it, in that they participated in a project that will provide more appropriate physical employment standards for the ground defence specialisation.”

He said the phase resulted in excellent data collection and positive feedback from those involved. “University staff were very impressed with the Air Force organisation, running and attitude of participants, and members were highly motivated to do their best during the phase.

“This data will [eventually] be used to assist in determining which tests should be used by Air Force in the future, as well as assisting in determining the pass/fail standards to apply for each test.”

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