Press Release
☷New Year Brings New Focus on Airmen Fitness
National Guard ( By Press Release office)
Jan 18,2024
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As the new year kicks off , many Americans are starting to realize the consequences of indulging in too much food and not enough exercise during the holidays . This is a time when people , including military members , are refocusing on their physical fitness . For those in the Air Force , maintaining fitness standards is a requirement of their job . After a short break , the Air Force is planning to reintroduce an old health requirement this spring called the Body Composition Assessment ( BCA ) . This assessment specifically measures the distribution of fat in the abdominal area . It is calculated by dividing the waist circumference by the person ' s height . The BCA is mandated by the Department of Defense and is separate from the physical fitness assessment that Air Force members undergo each year . The physical fitness assessment , also known as the "PT" test , evaluates muscular strength , core endurance , and aerobic capacity . Airmen have flexibility in how they choose to measure and score each component of the test . They can opt for different exercises such as pushups , sit - ups , or planks , and they can choose between a run or a shuttle run for aerobic testing . Master Sergeant Benjamin Blackford , who works in finance at the Iowa Air National Guard , also serves as a Physical Training Leader and has noticed that those who consistently perform well on the test are usually those who lead healthy lifestyles and consistently prepare . Blackford has been a PTL for three years and has seen the benefits of the new alternative options for the Physical Health Assessment ( PHA ) . He believes that with more options available , there are more opportunities for people to succeed . To support service members in maintaining their fitness readiness , the Department of Defense has created the Human Performance Resources by the Consortium for Health and Military Performance website . This website offers free resources , including videos , articles , and other tools , to help members achieve and maintain their desired overall fitness , which encompasses psychological , social , nutritional , spiritual , and physical well - being . The website covers various topics related to developing total fitness and provides advice on physical training , nutrition , mental health , sleep , and more . Wade Kuehl is the Director of Psychological Health for the 185th ARW and he believes that exercise is really important for maintaining good mental health , especially in the winter . He explained that the shorter days and lack of outdoor activities can make a negative impact on both our minds and bodies . According to Kuehl , exercise is like a natural antidepressant because it releases dopamine and serotonin in our bodies . He also suggested that Airmen should try to keep up a healthy lifestyle all year round , not just as a one - time thing . Luckily , there are lots of resources available at their local units . For example , the USAF Connect app has a fitness calculator that Airmen can use to assess their own physical fitness . If you ' re in Sioux City , the base gym is open 24/7 and has everything you need , like free weights , resistance machines , and cardio machines . Kuehl even runs a Physical Fitness Group that meets on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 AM at the base gym , and anyone can join in . And if you work for the Iowa National Guard , you even get three hours per week to exercise . Kuehl also mentioned that the New Year is a great time to start or reset your fitness goals .
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