Sailors' Perceptions of the Navy's Health and Physical Readiness Program.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to gather information indicating what Navy personnel think about the Health and Physical Readiness (HAPR) program. This information could guide changes to improve program effectiveness. Of 1,357 male shipboard personnel who completed lifestyle surveys, 776 provided comments about what they liked, disliked, wanted changed, and thought would improve the program. Analyses comparing individuals who provided comments with those who did not on demographic and HAPR performance measures indicated that those who made comments are probably representative of other shipboard men. Responses were grouped into two major categories: positive and critical. Most positive comments represented one of three types: a) approval of the HAPR program or some general aspect (e.g., required testing, the standards, exercising), b) liking a specific exercise (e.g., running, swimming, wegith-lifting), and c) thinking the program was good for self-improvement (e.g., gets people looking and feeling better; gets them in better shape). The most frequent critical comments fell into one of four types: a) concern about the lack of time to exercise and desire for exercise to be scheduled into the regular work routine, b) infrequent testing and lack of year-round emphasis on fitness, c) lack of knowledge about the program, and d) lack of fair enforcement of standards and participation across all ranks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA171354
Entities
People
- Linda J. Dutton
- Pamela S. Briggs
- Terry L. Conway
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center