Improving Physical Fitness through Physical Therapy and Preventative Measures
Abstract
The USMC is a physical culture that places special emphasis on physical as well as functional fitness. However, the Marine Corps assesses physical training in traditional ways and misses other key elements such as such as nutrition, sleep, and stretching. Numerous case studies, pilot programs, and existing practices show the benefits of physical therapy, particularly through the use of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Other research indicates the benefits of proper nutrition, sleep, and stretching as part of a balanced fitness approach. This paper will demonstrate the value in investing time and resources in other aspects of physical fitness, such as nutrition, sleep, stretching, and in particular physical therapy, in order to improve the health and readiness of the total force. The Marine Corps needs a more comprehensive approach, which focuses on preventative measures and considers all aspects of physical fitness, to planning and conducting physical fitness training. The USMC should resource select units with physical therapists, or at a minimum use the FMS, and small unit leaders should develop more comprehensive physical fitness plans that emphasize preventative measures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1176345
Entities
People
- John R. Sisson
Organizations
- Marine Corps University