thedrifter
01-11-07, 03:05 PM
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Jan. 11, 2007) -- Lieutenant Gen. John Amos, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, recently approved a new training concept that will help to better prepare Marines mentally and physically for combat.
The functional fitness concept describes a new approach to physical training that, once implemented, will result in a major physical change in the way Marines view exercise and how units build training programs to prepare for combat.
“Currently, the physical fitness training programs in place do not mimic what Marines experience during combat, and we have to align our training to meet those challenges,” said Lt. Col. Lance McDaniel, project officer for the Concepts Branch, MCCDC.
Challenges faced in combat include wearing personal protection and heavy gear, as well as sprinting in short bursts, jumping and lifting while carrying the added weight of the gear. The weight of that body armor and the helmet puts an unnatural load on the neck, while the flak jacket places additional pressure on the lower back, specifically.
“Doing isolated exercises, like crunches, pulls ups and distance running, do not condition the whole body, which is why Marines are surprised at how their bodies react to the trials of combat,” McDaniel said. “The current program gives little attention to strength training, while over-emphasizing aerobic training. Just think of the long runs we (Marines) do every day.”
The functional fitness program gives leathernecks the ability to perform a variety of natural and realistic movements. The key to functional exercise is teaching all of the body’s muscles to work together rather than isolating them independently, as well as proper lifting, pushing and throwing techniques, which are also important in achieving functional fitness levels.
McDaniel said the program, as envisioned, does not require a great deal of sophisticated equipment. “You can use just about anything around you for a weight,” he said. “Just lifting your own body weight is ideal in the beginning stages. It won’t be expensive at all to implement this program.”
Most of the movements associated with the functional fitness program, since they imitate combat, can be executed with a filled sandbag, a rock, a tire or an ammunition can filled with sand.
Stressing that the physical demands of real life and combat operations support the argument that exercise should generate a strong foundation of general fitness based on core body strength and total body stamina, McDaniel said functional fitness programs should integrate strength training based on compound movements with intense agility and endurance training.
Aside from strengthening the entire body, functional fitness serves to lessen incidents that lead to injury, which ultimately sideline a Marine during training or on the battlefield. In the cases where injuries do occur, McDaniel said one of the many benefits of functional fitness training is “pre-habilitation.”
“Marines will get hurt, but we can make it less likely to happen, and make recovery faster,” he said.
“Imagine spraining an ankle and not being able to run for two months. If you continue physical training around the injured area in a modified manner, you can come off of light duty and run as if you never stopped. You may even learn a new skill by training differently.”
McDaniel said another way to meet the challenges of making more combat-ready devil dogs is to change the way Marines view physical training.
“We want to begin to view Marines as athletes,” he said. “They’re dedicated to the team and prepare themselves for the rigors of their sport. Our game is combat. And if we teach the Marines, through functional fitness, to make their muscles stronger, there wouldn’t be such a shock when they go to combat.”
McDaniel is confident troops will welcome functional fitness once they see the benefits it has to offer.
Once the Marines see themselves in better physical shape and experiencing less injuries, there is no doubt they will be eager to make it part of their daily routines, he said. “Functional fitness can fit within existing physical training time constraints and you can do much more to strengthen your entire body.”
Although the functional fitness program is still in the concept phase, the ideas are fairly easy and will develop quickly, McDaniel said.
Ellie
The functional fitness concept describes a new approach to physical training that, once implemented, will result in a major physical change in the way Marines view exercise and how units build training programs to prepare for combat.
“Currently, the physical fitness training programs in place do not mimic what Marines experience during combat, and we have to align our training to meet those challenges,” said Lt. Col. Lance McDaniel, project officer for the Concepts Branch, MCCDC.
Challenges faced in combat include wearing personal protection and heavy gear, as well as sprinting in short bursts, jumping and lifting while carrying the added weight of the gear. The weight of that body armor and the helmet puts an unnatural load on the neck, while the flak jacket places additional pressure on the lower back, specifically.
“Doing isolated exercises, like crunches, pulls ups and distance running, do not condition the whole body, which is why Marines are surprised at how their bodies react to the trials of combat,” McDaniel said. “The current program gives little attention to strength training, while over-emphasizing aerobic training. Just think of the long runs we (Marines) do every day.”
The functional fitness program gives leathernecks the ability to perform a variety of natural and realistic movements. The key to functional exercise is teaching all of the body’s muscles to work together rather than isolating them independently, as well as proper lifting, pushing and throwing techniques, which are also important in achieving functional fitness levels.
McDaniel said the program, as envisioned, does not require a great deal of sophisticated equipment. “You can use just about anything around you for a weight,” he said. “Just lifting your own body weight is ideal in the beginning stages. It won’t be expensive at all to implement this program.”
Most of the movements associated with the functional fitness program, since they imitate combat, can be executed with a filled sandbag, a rock, a tire or an ammunition can filled with sand.
Stressing that the physical demands of real life and combat operations support the argument that exercise should generate a strong foundation of general fitness based on core body strength and total body stamina, McDaniel said functional fitness programs should integrate strength training based on compound movements with intense agility and endurance training.
Aside from strengthening the entire body, functional fitness serves to lessen incidents that lead to injury, which ultimately sideline a Marine during training or on the battlefield. In the cases where injuries do occur, McDaniel said one of the many benefits of functional fitness training is “pre-habilitation.”
“Marines will get hurt, but we can make it less likely to happen, and make recovery faster,” he said.
“Imagine spraining an ankle and not being able to run for two months. If you continue physical training around the injured area in a modified manner, you can come off of light duty and run as if you never stopped. You may even learn a new skill by training differently.”
McDaniel said another way to meet the challenges of making more combat-ready devil dogs is to change the way Marines view physical training.
“We want to begin to view Marines as athletes,” he said. “They’re dedicated to the team and prepare themselves for the rigors of their sport. Our game is combat. And if we teach the Marines, through functional fitness, to make their muscles stronger, there wouldn’t be such a shock when they go to combat.”
McDaniel is confident troops will welcome functional fitness once they see the benefits it has to offer.
Once the Marines see themselves in better physical shape and experiencing less injuries, there is no doubt they will be eager to make it part of their daily routines, he said. “Functional fitness can fit within existing physical training time constraints and you can do much more to strengthen your entire body.”
Although the functional fitness program is still in the concept phase, the ideas are fairly easy and will develop quickly, McDaniel said.
Ellie