Army Aviation Fitness Enhancement Program: Holistic Health Guidance for Aircrew

Abstract

The Human Performance and Wellness (HPW) program, an update to the Tactical Human Optimization Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning program, provides special operations forces (SOF) with access to professional sports level staff to maximize total human performance and mental resiliency. As implemented by the Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), HPW offers individualized support by highly trained professionals in strength and conditioning, performance psychology, and nutrition. Soldiers in the larger Army aviation community would benefit from a similar program to better meet the physical and mental demands of flying Army aircraft. Army is currently rolling out a new program to the Combat Aviation Brigades for this purpose, Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F, FM 7-22). Objective: This project reviewed currently available Army programs to evaluate human performance and mental resiliency resources available to the aviation community. Interventions: Examine the resources available to implement a holistic health program, similar to HPW, and develop guidance for non-SOF Army aviation commanders and aircrew. Results: Army Ready and Resilient, Wellness Program, Morale Wellness and Recreation services, and H2F can be combined for the Aviation Commanding Officer to develop a program based on HPW. To aid aircrew in meeting the complex cognitive demands of flying, it is critical to include cognitive enhancements specialists. Conclusions: HPW is a successful program that incorporates physical fitness training, nutrition support, and performance psychology training to the SOF communities. It is a successful model that would be beneficial for Army aviation units. Leveraging existing programs, partnerships, and facilities may be able to fill some of the current gaps; however not all aviation units will have access to these resources.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 20, 2021
Accession Number
AD1151986

Entities

People

  • Cristina Delgado-howard
  • Hillary A Plummer
  • Paul St. Onge
  • Samuel Whalen

Organizations

  • 106th Aviation Regiment
  • Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Airborne
  • Aircrafts
  • Army Aircraft
  • Army Aviation
  • Biomedical Research
  • Communities
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Guidance
  • Health
  • Information Operations
  • Instructions
  • Mental Health
  • Military Education
  • Military Science
  • Motor Skills
  • Physical Fitness
  • Psychology
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Technical Information Centers
  • Training

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • STEM Education