Failure to FIT: HAWC program gets Airmen in shape

Published March 20, 2014
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- With fitness standards now a deciding factor in force shaping, the Health and Wellness Center's Fitness Improvement Training is the ticket to improving the shape of Airmen.

The HAWC was recognized during the recent Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care inspection for their outstanding programs for fitness. FIT was also lauded as a best practice during the Unit Effectiveness Inspection last November.

"The FIT program helps Airmen improve on each component of the AF Fitness Assessment, improves fitness levels, decreases injuries, and helps participants lose weight," said Laura Crowder, the HAWC's Health Promotion manager. She said there is an increase in Fitness Assessment pass rates for the participants who continue to use the training tools they learned after the six-week program.

Exercise physiologist Traci Fuhrman leads the participants through aerobic, run, strength, core and flexibility conditioning throughout the six weeks with one-hour classes meeting five days a week. She educates the members on safe and effective ways of training through this progression program.

Senior Airman Ruben Gonzales, 552nd Maintenance Squadron, completed the FIT program in February and has lost 30 pounds and 6 inches from his waist.

"Don't look at Traci and think she can't work you because she's tiny. She will work you," Airman Gonzales said. "It's a good program."

Earlier this week, Airman Gonzales took his PT test and passed with an overall 89.9 percent, completing the 1.5-mile run in 12 minutes, 13 seconds -- which is a great accomplishment from his 17 minute 1.5-mile run during the initial FIT mock FA he did in January.

"Traci cares about your success," he said. "It is like talking to a friend with her, and it makes it easier to concentrate with her."

Since October 2012, the FIT program has sustained success resulting in reduction of injuries and increased passing rates on the Air Force Fitness Assessment. Some 169 members have completed the FIT program with 95 percent improving their 1.5-mile run time and overall health and fitness. The results show this structured six-week program is successful.

New elements were recently added to the program: functional movement screening to assist in injury prevention, corrective movement exercises and nutrition education, which is instructed once a week for four weeks by registered dietician, Wendi Knowles. Using a popular fitness app, participants are taught how to track calories and their workout.

"With the addition of FMS corrective movement exercises participants learn how to improve muscle imbalances that could otherwise lead to overuse injuries and keep Airmen from being mission ready," said Ms. Crowder.

Fitness failures and poor health are both serious matters that are resulting in separation from the Air Force with the current force shaping.

The HAWC will be presenting the results of the FIT program and study at the Aerospace Medical Association Conference in May.

"We are excited," Ms. Fuhrman said. "We have seen an 80 percent passing rate for people going through the program."

The program continues to evolve based on feedback from participants. Program participation is voluntary, but those who have gone through the six week training have seen positive results. The program is only for military personnel, but all branches are welcome.

Ms. Fuhrman has been a health and fitness professional for 10 years now and loves motivating people to exercise, eat right and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

"This program is intense, but if you stay positive and do your best, you will succeed," she said.