Report of an Air National Guard clinic's experience with screening at-risk individuals before initial physical fitness testing.
AFR 35-11, dated 10 April 1985, included standards for physical fitness performance tests with the option of a 1.5-mile run or a 3-mile walk. Since that time, ANG units have begun initial physical fitness testing of all personnel. This program brought with it new responsibilities for ANG medical units including the screening of individuals in whom health problems might indicate that they are at risk in taking the physical fitness test (PFT). The 111th TAC Clinic used a questionnaire, screened by physicians utilizing a predetermined grid of responses to designate individuals cleared for the run or walk test or as at risk. Of 823 individuals screened, 91 (11%) were designated at risk. These individuals are being further evaluated and 31 (29%) have been subsequently cleared to date. Physical testing of cleared individuals was accomplished, and both running and walking courses were carefully monitored by ambulance crews. Four casualties came to medical attention (blisters, severe fatigue, dizziness, and indigestion). The patient with severe fatigue was a patient on medical hold, S/P myocardial infarction, who had not been medically cleared to participate. The patient with light-headedness was found to have newly diagnosed hypertension. In view of the relatively small number of casualties incurred during this initial PFT, it is felt that the screening process employing a questionnaire evaluated by medical personnel is an appropriate method of minimizing risk.
Humphries
T J
TJ
Dietrick
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Palan
K M
KM
Smith
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D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008889:Military Personnel; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States