5-1-2012 Exercise and Nutrition Survey of Nevada Air National Guard Members Matthew Antonio Demattei University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digi
INTRODUCTION
Many Nevada Air National Guard members are struggling to meet the Air Force fitness test standards, with around 25% of tested personnel receiving a failing ("Unsatisfactory") score below 75% The fitness assessment, based on Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2905, includes four components designed to evaluate overall physical readiness.
To pass the fitness test, members must successfully complete four components: push-ups, sit-ups, a 1-1/2 mile run, and waist measurement Push-ups and sit-ups are timed for one minute each, with a maximum of ten points awarded for each assessment based on performance The 1-1/2 mile run is timed, encouraging members to run as fast as possible, with up to sixty points available for the fastest times Waist measurement is the final component, worth a maximum of twenty points, where smaller waist sizes yield higher scores A specific point scale is used for each component, reflecting the number of push-ups and sit-ups performed, run times, and waist girth in inches, to determine overall fitness levels.
The point scales for assessments are detailed in AFI 36-2905, Attachment 14 These scales are organized separately for males and females, ensuring gender-specific standards Rank is not considered a factor in the scoring process, focusing solely on the assessment criteria This separation by gender maintains fairness and consistency in evaluating performance.
The age groups are divided into decades, including less than 30 years old, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 or older Each member's score is calculated by summing the scores of four components, with the total possible points reaching up to 100 This scoring approach helps assess members' performance across different age categories effectively.
This descriptive study aims to support the Nevada Air National Guard by assessing members' educational backgrounds in exercise science or nutrition through a survey It also seeks to determine the willingness of degree-holding members to instruct courses for those without degrees and for non-degree members to participate in these courses The program's goal is to promote informed decision-making and healthier lifestyle changes related to fitness and nutrition, ultimately improving members’ performance on the Air Force fitness test over time.
This thesis incorporates survey-based statistical data, which will be presented to the Commander of the Nevada Air National Guard (CC NVANG) The data analysis will enable senior leadership to make informed decisions on how to effectively support organization members through targeted education programs By providing exercise and nutrition education, it is expected that members will be empowered to adopt healthier lifestyles, positively influencing their attitudes and mindsets toward health and wellness Ultimately, these initiatives aim to improve overall health outcomes within the organization.
This study aims to assess whether Nevada Air National Guard members hold degrees in exercise science and nutrition, and to gauge their willingness to attend or teach related courses for the benefit of the organization Given the current funding limitations faced by the National Guard, the survey seeks to help senior leaders identify opportunities to utilize existing personnel resources effectively The ultimate goal is to improve members' performance on the Air Force fitness test through targeted education in exercise and nutrition.
Based on survey analysis, the Nevada Air National Guard aims to develop educational programs to support its members' needs The final thesis will be presented to the unit's Commander and could be forwarded to The Adjutant General of the Nevada Military Department, along with detailed survey findings The goal is that, over time, members will experience improved fitness levels and overall health through the implemented educational initiatives informed by this research.
This study investigates the willingness of Nevada Air National Guard members to participate in exercise science programs The hypothesis suggests that, based on survey results, these military personnel are receptive to attending and engaging in such fitness and health initiatives.
4 nutrition classes, and members who possess degrees will express their willingness to instruct exercise science and nutrition classes
This study aims to evaluate the willingness of Nevada Air National Guard members to participate in exercise and nutrition education Specifically, it investigates whether members with exercise science and nutrition degrees are interested in instructing classes, while also assessing if members without such degrees are willing to attend these educational sessions The findings will help identify potential instructors and participants, supporting health and wellness initiatives within the Nevada Air National Guard.
The survey responses aim to provide members with valuable educational resources to enhance their health Improved health outcomes are expected to positively influence their Air Force fitness test scores By focusing on education and wellness, members can achieve better performance and overall well-being.
Definition of Terms The following definitions are given for the purpose of clarification:
Exercise science encompasses fields such as exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, athletic training, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and physical education The Nevada Air National Guard is an organized military unit consisting of nineteen units and approximately 1,100 personnel, highlighting its structured military organization.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Overview of the Air Force Fitness Test
In 2010, the United States Air Force updated its fitness program standards by replacing the 2005 Air Force Instruction (AFI) 10-248 with AFI 36-2905, reflecting significant changes According to Weiglein, Herrick, Kirk, and Kirk (2011), “the Air Force Fitness Program is used to determine mission readiness and has greatly evolved over the past 6 decades with the most recent update effective July 2010” (p 669) While the required physical assessments remain consistent for passing, the scoring criteria for exercises have been substantially revised from the previous AFI 10-248 to the current AFI 36-2905, emphasizing ongoing improvements in fitness standards.
Each Wing in the Air Force, representing a collective group of units on an installation, designates a dedicated Exercise Physiologist or trained Fitness Program Manager to oversee the Wing’s physical fitness initiatives This individual is responsible for monitoring and implementing fitness programs to ensure troop readiness and health The Air Force’s command structure further divides each Wing into several units, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to maintaining the physical well-being of personnel.
Groups consist of multiple Squadrons, and to meet the diverse fitness needs of personnel assigned to a Wing, an Exercise Physiologist or Fitness Program Manager oversees the development of the Unit Fitness Program Managers These managers are responsible for monitoring the fitness programs within their respective Groups and Squadrons, ensuring all personnel maintain optimal fitness levels Additionally, they play a key role in educating and training Physical Training Leaders, who directly conduct and participate in physical fitness training sessions with Squadron members, promoting a culture of health and readiness.
(Newton, 2010, p 16) It is essential that the individuals who perform these duties operate with the best interests of the members, as well as the Air Force, in mind because,
“the purpose of the Air Force Fitness Program is to ensure mission readiness; therefore, accurate fitness assessments are essential to meet this objective” (Weiglein, Herrick, Kirk, & Kirk, 2011, p 669)
The Air Force physical fitness test evaluates aerobic power and muscle endurance through a timed run, push-ups, and sit-ups, along with a waist measurement Vanderburgh (2008) highlights that these PFT events primarily rely on body weight as the main form of resistance, making body mass a key factor in performance Each exercise assesses different aspects of relative fitness, emphasizing the ability to efficiently move and control one's body weight.
According to Vanderburgh (2007), push-ups and sit-ups are typically performed before the running component, with brief rest periods to allow recovery between exercises He explains that muscle endurance is evaluated through timed maximal repetition tests such as push-ups, sit-ups, abdominal crunches, or curl-ups, because these assessments are suitable for large-scale testing Failing to meet the minimum passing standards in any part of the Air Force fitness test results in an overall failure, emphasizing the importance of each exercise component.
The timed 1-1/2 mile run must be accomplished as quickly as possible, with a maximum score of sixty points that can be earned Vanderburgh (2007) states that,
“timed distance runs are the primary index of aerobic power in military testing” (p 738)
An individual’s score reflects how fast the member completes the run; the faster the
The ability to run 1.5 miles is a key component of the Air Force fitness test, with higher scores reflecting better performance This run is usually conducted on Air Force or Air National Guard installations, where the course is precisely measured and mapped by the Civil Engineer Squadron Occasionally, the test may be held on a high school track or a paved road if necessary Some members find it challenging to complete the run, which can result in failing the fitness test and impact their overall readiness.
During the push-up assessment, each member has one minute to complete as many push-ups as possible, with strict form requirements such as maintaining a rigid body and bending elbows to at least a ninety-degree angle to count repetitions (Newton, 2010, p 58) Air Force members are only allowed to rest in the “up” position with elbows fully extended, arms locked, and backs straight; failing to adhere to this results in immediate disqualification or ending the test at their last completed count, regardless of the remaining time (Newton, 2010, p 59) The maximum score for the push-up portion is ten points, but with updated fitness standards, members must perform more push-ups to achieve the highest score, reflecting increased performance requirements.
Individuals are required to complete as many sit-ups as possible within one minute, with a fellow military member allowed to stabilize their feet and ankles During the test, the participant must perform the “down and up” sit-up motion with arms crossed in front and elbows touching the thighs in the “up” position Resting is only permitted in the “up” position; if the participant rests in the “down” position, the test ends early, and their score is based on the number of sit-ups completed until that point (Newton, 2010, p 61).
The 8th portion of the assessment is scored on a scale that awards up to ten points depending on the new standards To achieve a higher score, members are required to complete more sit-ups, aligning their performance with the updated evaluation criteria.
The new fitness standards have significantly revised the waist measurement scoring system, which now assigns a maximum of twenty points With the release of AFI 36-, the scoring criteria have become more lenient, reflecting an updated approach to evaluating waist measurements for fitness assessments.
2905 in comparison to the standards set forth in AFI 10-248 The measurement is taken directly over the hip bones at the iliac crest, and around the abdomen (Newton, 2010, p
20) The smaller the individual’s waist, measured in inches, the more points the individual receives
Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated using height and weight, does not impact the point value earned from the four main assessments of the Air Force fitness test According to Must et al (1999), "using BMI as a weight measure provides an indirect measure of fatness and does not reflect fat distribution," and "BMI does not distinguish between fat mass and lean tissue mass," highlighting its limitations in accurately assessing body composition for fitness assessments.
A high BMI, classified as 25 to 29.9 kg/m² (overweight) and 30 kg/m² or higher (obese), is associated with an increased risk of heart failure (Kenchaiah et al., 2002; Donnelly et al., 2009) Individuals with a BMI of 25 or higher are also more prone to high blood cholesterol levels compared to those of normal weight (Must et al., 1999) Maintaining a healthy BMI is crucial for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The physical assessments are “widely considered to be measures of health-related fitness;” in addition, “the events of these tests also are conducive to mass testing and
9 require little to no equipment, a key feature for a military PFT that often involves the testing of hundreds of participants at one time.” (Vanderburgh, 2008, p 1538) As
According to Aandstad, Holme, Berntsen, and Anderssen (2011), an adequate level of physical fitness is essential for military personnel due to the high physical demands of their duties From a health perspective, McGraw, Turner, Stotts, and Dracup (2011) noted that, despite the absence of formal exercise programs in medical records, most deployed service members likely engage in sufficient physical activity to meet operational requirements.
The new scoring system for fitness exercises has increased the difficulty for some individuals to pass the test, resulting in more Air Force members being placed on physical profiles or receiving counseling letters, which may threaten their military careers Those on physical profiles often face underlying health issues, as their lack of overall well-being can elevate health risks; for example, Talbot et al (2011) highlight that, despite performing military tasks adequately, National Guard members who are not physically fit face a higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) Additionally, McGraw et al (2011) point out that cardiovascular events in deployed military personnel pose a significant health threat, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fitness However, it is crucial for individuals to find a balanced approach to exercise, as overtraining or pushing too hard can lead to an increased risk of injury, highlighting the need for personalized fitness routines (Knapik et al., 2011).
Injury incidents in the military often occur early in a member’s career, with National Guard members typically remaining in service longer than active-duty personnel Research indicates that low premilitary fitness levels significantly increase the risk of training-related injuries and attrition during Basic Combat Training (Gubata et al., 2011) Additionally, as physical activity levels rise, so does the likelihood of injury during training (Knapik et al., 2011) Older Reserve and National Guard forces face concerns about deployability due to decreased fitness and higher injury risks compared to active-duty troops (Talbot et al., 2011) To address these challenges, the Air Force has implemented stricter fitness policies and designated daily exercise time for service members to enhance readiness and reduce injury risk.
METHODOLOGY
A survey was conducted as the primary data collection method for this exempt research study, utilizing a distribution list to reach all Nevada Air National Guard members via email The survey, created using Survey Monkey, was included with a professional cover letter aligned with Air Force standards, and sent through a carefully reviewed email forwarded by the Director of Staff – Air to ensure broad organizational participation.
Members of the Nevada Air National Guard were not mandated to complete the survey according to AFI 38-501 guidelines; however, the Commander approved its voluntary use to gather valuable feedback The primary objective was to enhance exercise science and nutrition education for organization members, leveraging survey insights to improve overall health and wellness initiatives within the Nevada Air National Guard.
The survey, designed with closed-ended questions, was created using SurveyMonkey to ensure complete anonymity of members' responses Participants who chose to complete the survey did so by selecting a radio button, facilitating easy and confidential data collection.
37 indicate their answer for each closed-ended question The survey consisted of ten questions and was designed to take participants a minimum amount of time, approximately five minutes, to answer
The demographic data were initially organized by rank (officer or enlisted), gender (male or female), and age groups (under 30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 or older) based on AFI 36-2905 categories To ensure a logical flow in the survey, these three demographic variables were introduced as the first three questions This structured approach helped provide a clear and coherent presentation of participant information.
1 Please select your rank classification
3 Please select the category representing your age
Participant willingness to attend exercise science or nutrition classes is crucial, as their desire to participate increases the likelihood of internalizing health information and making positive lifestyle changes Forcing attendance may lead to resentment and reduced effort in learning, ultimately diminishing the effectiveness of the intervention Therefore, understanding participant motivation is key to promoting meaningful health behavior change.
4 Would you attend nutrition education presented by an individual possessing a degree in nutrition / dietetics?
5 Would you attend exercise education presented by an individual possessing a degree in exercise science?
This study emphasizes the importance of identifying participants’ educational backgrounds in exercise science and nutrition, specifically whether they hold a doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, or associate’s degree Participants with these degrees might have been tasked or instructed to educate fellow Nevada Air National Guard members through formal training, but the study aimed to see if they would voluntarily offer their expertise The research questions were designed to assess participants’ willingness and initiative in providing education within their military community.
6 Have you completed a degree in nutrition / dietetics?
7 If you possess a degree in nutrition / dietetics, would you be willing to instruct a class regarding nutrition / dietetics?
I do not possess a degree in nutrition / dietetics
8 Have you completed a degree in exercise science?
9 If you possess a degree in exercise science, would you be willing to instruct a class regarding exercise science?
I do not possess a degree in exercise science
This study aimed to provide exercise science and nutrition education to members, requiring verification of their recent fitness test results It was assumed that participants with degrees in exercise science or nutrition would have passed their fitness assessments The key question focused on whether participants had successfully passed their latest fitness tests to ensure they met the program's standards.
10 Did you receive a passing score on your most recent Air Force fitness test? Yes
The survey responses were systematically collected and analyzed by calculating percentages for each question, ensuring complete anonymity while gathering basic demographic data such as rank, gender, age decade, and recent fitness test outcomes, to align with the Air Force fitness scoring standards The survey, hosted on Survey Monkey, was monitored weekly to track completion rates, and participants received email reminders from the Director of Staff – Air prior to Unit Training Assemblies in January and February, with the survey link included The analysis of these responses indicated that the Nevada Air National Guard could develop targeted educational programs to support its members’ fitness and readiness.
The participants in this study were members of the Nevada Air National Guard, specifically from various units within the organization, totaling 1,081 personnel A convenience sampling method was used to select participants from diverse units, including the State Headquarters, the 232nd Operations Squadron, the 152nd Intelligence Squadron, the 152nd Airlift Wing, and several support and maintenance groups such as the 152nd Maintenance Group, the 152nd Medical Group, and the 152nd Security Forces Squadron.
152 nd Force Support Squadron, the 152 nd Civil Engineer Squadron, the 152 nd
Communications Flight, and the 152 nd Comptroller Flight This information was retrieved from the Nevada Air National Guard’s Military Personnel Data System
(MilPDS) account Due to the use of a survey to collect data, specific participant characteristics, other than rank, gender, or age decade were not available, or applicable
A cover letter, formatted according to Air Force personal letter standards and outlined in Appendix II, was distributed alongside a survey link (Appendix III) created using SurveyMonkey.
The survey responses were automatically collected and securely stored on Survey Monkey upon participants' completion and submission The platform was password protected to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of all respondents, maintaining data security throughout the collection process.
Monkey website on a weekly basis to determine whether members responded to the survey
This article discusses data analysis methods, focusing on descriptive statistics such as tallies and percentages for categorical variables These methods help summarize and organize data effectively, with results presented in clear table formats to illustrate relevant data combinations.
1 Rank with Willingness to Attend Nutrition Education
2 Rank with Willingness to Attend Exercise Science Education
3 Gender with Willingness to Attend Nutrition Education
4 Gender with Willingness to Attend Exercise Science Education
5 Age Group with Willingness to Attend Nutrition Education
6 Age Group with Willingness to Attend Exercise Science Education
7 Fitness with Willingness to Attend Nutrition Education
8 Fitness with Willingness to Attend Exercise Science Education
9 Rank with Fitness Test Result (Pass / Fail)
10 Gender with Fitness Test Result (Pass / Fail)
Chi-squared tests of independence were performed to assess the associations between pairs of variables, with Fisher’s exact test p-values calculated for 2x2 tables to ensure accuracy in smaller sample sizes All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version, with an alpha level set at 05 to determine statistical significance.