U.S. Forces Fitness

By Maj. MELISSA FOLSOM Chief of physical therapy FORT POLK, La. — Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital hosted an Army Combat Fitness Test and Pose running method training course in early March for Fort Polk. Col. Marla J. Ferguson, Medical Activity commander, identified a need to train Soldier instructors on the new ACFT, which is set to replace the Army Physical Fitness Test in October. Her focus on the prevention of injuries led her to designate the BJACH Department of Rehabilitation Team to take the lead in hosting the conference. A team of subject matter experts from the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School trained 30 Soldiers as level 2 instructors for the ACFT and as instructors on the Pose method of running, which incorporate poses into running to avoid wasting energy on inconsequential movements.  The ACFT improves Soldier readiness, transforms the culture of Army fitness, reduces preventable injuries and attrition, enhances mental toughness and stamina, and contribute...

Story by Chuck Cannon Fort Polk Public Affairs Office FORT POLK, La. — More than 25 Fort Polk Soldier/athletes spent April 23 and 24 learning to be CrossFit Level 1 instructors to provide coaching and guidance for the members of their respective units. Chuck Carswell, one of three instructors with CrossFit Inc. who led the class, said the course teaches CrossFit methodology and how to incorporate functionality in daily physical training. “The new Army PT test involves more functionality and looks a bit more like what Soldiers would see out on the battlefield,” Carswell said. “This training will give them the foundational components to execute movements that will not only help them pass their PT test, but also make them more functional in the field. They’ll have the capacity — fitness wise — to be able to respond appropriately.” Carswell said the level of functionality CrossFit brings to the Army’s daily fitness is probably a little bit higher than it’s been in the past. “We ...