The Army Training System - AskTOP

techniques, directives, and publicationsand that they use them. The objectiveof every commander should beto incorporate the most effective methodsof physical training into a balancedprogram. This program should resultin the improved physical fitness oftheir soldiers and an enhanced abilityto perform mission-related tasks.MFTs can help commanders formulatesound programs that will attaintheir physical training goals, but commandersmust know and apply thedoctrine. However, since the responsibilityfor physical training is thecommander’s, programs must be basedon his own training objectives. Thesehe must develop from his evaluation ofthe unit’s mission-essential task list(METL). Chapter 10 describes thedevelopment of the unit’s program.MASTER FITNESS TRAINERSA Master Fitness Trainer (MFT) isa soldier who has completed either thefour-week active-component, twoweekreserve-component, or U.S.Military Academy’s MFT course work.Although called “masters,” MFTs aresimply soldiers who know about all aspectsof physical fitness training andhow soldiers’ bodies function. Mostimportantly, since MFTs are taught todesign individual and unit programs,they should be used by commanders asspecial staff assistants for this purpose.MFTs can do the following:• Assess the physical fitness levels ofindividuals and units.• Analyze the unit's mission-relatedtasks and develop sound fitnesstraining programs to support thosetasks.• Train other trainers to conduct sound,safe physical training.• Understand the structure and functionof the human body, especiallyas it relates to exercise.Components of FitnessPhysical fitness is the ability to functioneffectively in physical work, training,and other activities and still haveenough energy left over to handle anyemergencies which may arise.The components of physical fitnessare as follows:• Cardiorespiratory (CR) endurancetheefficiency with which thebody delivers oxygen and nutrientsneeded for muscular activity andtransports waste products from thecells.• Muscular strength - the greatestamount of force a muscle or musclegroup can exert in a single effort.• Muscular endurance - the ability ofa muscle or muscle group to performrepeated movements with asub-maximal force for extendedperiods of times.• Flexibility-the ability to move thejoints (for example, elbow, knee) orany group of joints through anentire, normal range of motion.• Body composition-the amount ofbody fat a soldier has in comparisonto his total body mass.Improving the first three componentsof fitness listed above will havea positive impact on body compositionand will result in less fat. Excessivebody fat detracts from the other fitnesscomponents, reduces performance,detracts from appearance, andnegatively affects one’s health.Factors such as speed, agility, musclepower, eye-hand coordination, andeye-foot coordination are classified ascomponents of “motor” fitness. Thesefactors affect a soldier’s survivabilityon the battlefield. Appropriate trainingcan improve these factors withinthe limits of each soldier’s potential.The Army’s fitness program seeks toimprove or maintain all the componentsof physical and motor fitness1-3