June 2013 - Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency

poses a problem to OUTCAN testing outside
Canada due to the limited number of scheduled
evaluation sessions at the select testing sites.
If a member fails to meet the FORCE minimal
standard they may not have the opportunity
to attempt the EXPRES test prior to their fitness
result expiring. Therefore, during most USA testing
Day 1 will consist of EXPRES testing for those who
require a fitness test. Day 2 will consist of FORCE
familiarization/evaluation. Should the process be
reversed, the member again risks not having a
valid fitness test result should they injure themself
on the FORCE or are too fatigued to attempt the
EXPRES on Day 2. For locations where multiple
testing sessions are held throughout the year, the
FORCE Evaluation may be conducted first.
In addition to FORCE Evaluations, the
implementation strategy also includes a FORCE
briefing by PSP staff. This briefing provides some
background information regarding the FORCE
Program as well as details concerning the actual
evaluation components.
The final component to the OUTCAN FORCE
Implementation strategy involves a practical
session to instruct proper lifting technique and to
provide training exercises specific to the FORCE
Evaluation.
The main impact this evaluation will have on
the OUTCAN community include lack of gym
facility access, increased number of annual
fitness evaluations, and FORCE-specific training
programs.
The evaluation will pose some challenges to
OUTCAN testing sites. Most host nation fitness
facilities do not want the test to be administered
inside their facility. The potential for damage to
hardwood gym floor surfaces during the sand
bag drag, sand bag lift, and intermittent shuttles
forces the test to be conducted in whole or in
part on either an outdoor track or a tennis court.
Given the possibility of adverse weather, these
are less than ideal conditions.
The first OUTCAN FORCE Evaluation took place
at the NATO Staff College at Norfolk, VA on 19
April. The sand bag lift, drag, and intermittent
shuttles were conducted on an outdoor tennis
court while the 20m rushes were done in the gym.
In order to ensure standardization, the friction
co-efficient for the drag on the rough tennis
court surface must be the same as a gym, drill
hall or other “approved” surface. Bags and/or
weight plates are added or taken off according
to the floor surface to maintain test integrity. All
11 participants were successful at the evaluation
and most liked the format compared to the
EXPRES Evaluation noting it was closer to the
physical demands one would be expected to
perform while on a mission.
With the elimination of the Incentive Exemption
Standard, an additional ~ 500 annual fitness
evaluations will need to be conducted in Europe,
USA and Canada for OUTCAN personnel.
However, until VCDS Gp Order 5023-3 and
CANFORGEN 168/10 are revised, personnel
located outside the USA and Europe will continue
to follow these directives including the location
excusal for those posted to designated remote
locations.
OPS Fit Newsletter • Volume 2 • Issue 2 • JUNE 2013 15