Looking for Suggestions for a Profile PT Training Plan

2014-12-02T19:26:32-05:00

For those of us on permanent profile, we know we don't get special treatment and scarcely receive 'gym time' to PT within our limitations. Most units work hard to ensure SMs with medical profiles PT with the unit, and reduce the perception of special treatment. While there is nothing against mentality, it leaves profiled soldiers at a disadvantage when performing alternate PT activities during unit PT. On PT run days, my experience has been that profile SMs walk the same amount of time that the rest of the unit is running (training to time, not distance). We all know that a 1-mile walk is not equivalent to a 2-mile run, hence the PT test standard being a 2.5 mile walk (equivalent?).

So I wanted to ask the community, what can be done to ensure that profiled soldiers conducting unit PT can maximize this time for the best workout. Please provide suggestions for SMs with all types of profiles (excluding non-PT profiles). My end goal for this discussion is to create an alternate training plan for profiled soldiers that will provide the maximum PT benefits within prescribed limitations. Once I develop this training I plan, I plan on presenting it to my leadership to help revamp the PT program so that when certain activities are scheduled (ie. Running) that profiled soldiers have better alternatives to maintain physical fitness. If possible I also want to reduce the stereotype that profiled SMs are lazy when it comes to physical fitness. Would prefer suggestions for an outdoors scenario with little to no exercise equipment.

(Side note: To my knowledge FM 7-22 does not provide good alternatives to profiled soldiers not part of a special program (reconditioning), would welcome any information showing otherwise)

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 7:35 PM

2014-12-02T19:35:44-05:00

My suggestion, SGT Kristin Wiley, is for the Soldiers with profiles to at least do something. I stood in formations for 30 years and watched the people with profiles "fall out" while the rest of us did PT.

I also worked with a Soldier who had to do the walk instead of the run. That walk is no cake walk. So, the profile Soldiers should fall out and do something. Not go home. Going home just confirms the negative feelings of many towards those troops with profiles.

Response by PFC Aaron Knapp made Dec 2 at 2014 7:39 PM

2014-12-02T19:39:19-05:00

Do I looked for cardio exercises while on a sit up profile. Back in the day I did a lot of country dancing at NCO club in Germany. Was even questioned once about it. But when my profile lifted I was able to finish my run as 2nd in my battalion. You have to look for alternative methods to stay in shape that don't violate your profile. I know we tend to be hard on soldiers on profile or our "sick call Rangers" but we need to remember that were human and we get hurt. You need to be encouraging. I even went back after completing my run to run in with the slower soldiers. We need to remember no one left behind covers more than battlefield injuries.

Response by PFC Aaron Knapp made Dec 2 at 2014 8:07 PM

2014-12-02T20:07:00-05:00

Also there are many alternative programs for staying in shape available now a days. I'm not ashamed to say I've done Yoga. Being flexible is a key way to maintain fitness, my Drill sgt always used to say that, even though I'm disabled I still stretch and walk to stay active. (I have a 3 year old to keep up with). I like CW5 Scott Montgomery's suggestion of just doing something. When you do nothing it causes the Sick Call Ranger or Broke D$*k mentality. Be supportive and keep SMs active. I think the fact you are asking the question and developing a program is commendable in itself. I was always a field soldier but after doing a voluntary 10k combat biathlon in Baumholder with to members of my squad who were Rangers (tank battalion S3) I was never bothered about fitness again. A lot of it is perception. If your perceived to be trying to go hide out then it's a problem. By staying with unit and doing what you can the effort is seen and is appriciated. I was always a runner and they always let us runners break formation at the end of the run... But man I sucked at sit-ups after a upper back injury. So always do what you can.

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Dec 2 at 2014 11:26 PM

2014-12-02T23:26:22-05:00

I am stationed at a Marine base. The lady that runs the fitness center also runs a morning and lunch workout (with the help of the staff) that uses the TRX and is a modification of CrossFit. It is not as intense as CrossFit but it still gets the job done and they allow for modifications. Something like that could help.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 11:05 PM

2014-12-03T23:05:14-05:00

My last unit had a recovery/profile pt platoon that focused on keeping sm in shape while at the same time creating a workout to speed the recovery of their injury. It was reported to help sm heal quicker from serious injuries. If your command would allow it you could take temporary and permanent profiles and design a pts regiment that will improve pt scores and allow you to work on reconditioning sgt

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 11:19 PM

2014-12-03T23:19:16-05:00

Ask the guy that wants to give profiles a pay reduction.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 11:32 PM

2014-12-03T23:32:02-05:00

It's true. Walking IS better than nothing. However, there exist specific types of profiles. ( Yoga is great, but if if you have a high number of soldiers with back or soldier injuries, it isn't feasible.)
Developing a PT plan per soldier is a good idea. It takes time, but what else do you have to do? I'd suggest, for the soldiers who are less restricted, a weight-based program. The unit doesn't have to pay for extra equipment. Strapping on a backpack with 5 to 10 lbs helps with cardio., as well as core training. Our unit even uses music. Moby's "Flower" is a good one. Most soldiers can participate with this melody, regardless of profile.
Getting out there, and making it interesting is key.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Dec 3 at 2014 11:41 PM

2014-12-03T23:41:59-05:00

I think it will continue to be a difficult hurdle. While one may not be able to run, another is banned from push-ups. That individual, when placed on the profile should seek out exercises safe to do in place of the "norm". While in the AF, we had the health and wellness centers that would assist. Most also went to physical therapy. When my shoulder was out, I couldn't run or do push-ups. But I still did all the "ab" exercises then went to the gym for the bicycle for cardio. When I couldn't do jumping jacks, I did squats. I think every profile will have different exemptions.

If you typically do stretching, then push ups, then sit ups, then run, find alternatives for each that are acceptable.

I don't know of this helps or if I just rambled... But Good luck either way!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 1:06 AM

2014-12-04T01:06:04-05:00

Obviously the plan would depend on the limitations of the profile. My suggestion to anyone with a no running profile would be to hit the elliptical machine for an hour a day or every other day. Do whatever you can in great repetition and manage your diet to include your calorie intake.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 1:37 AM

2014-12-04T01:37:24-05:00

SGT Kristin Wiley, each ability group or profile group must be consolidated. It's too much for one Company to do on its own. It must be done at the BN level. It must be broken down and tasked to the Companies. For example. Red-Upper with A Company. Red-Lower with B Company. Amber-Upper with C Company and Amber-Lower with HHC. Each Company must maintain a "profile PT book" with the associated Physical Therapist approved exercises for each group. After PT, these books are consolidated at the Squadron Aid Station and then updated with new profiles. Prior to PT, the NCOIC's (E5 or above) from each Company will pick them up and take accountability of their personnel 5 minutes after first formation. They then move to the gym or the field or the pool based on the activities that the NCO has planned out for that specific PT program. That NCO is responsible for knowing exactly what kind of injury has been sustained and must coordinate with the physical therapist or the Squadron PA to determine the plan for that specific Soldier. Then they work them like they are trying to build a pyramid for Pharaoh. This ain't "walk around the quad" PT. Walk at your own pace and distance profiles are crap, and it's up to the BN CDR and CSM to stomp the monkey-poop out of any PA or doctor that writes that garbage. Everyone on profile PT should be sweating like a guy wearing a meat suit in a lion cage. It can't be done at the company level. You're setting a 1SG up for failure if you let that happen.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 3:37 AM

2015-02-19T03:37:55-05:00

Check out this website and look at the Building the Soldier Athlete reconditioning supplement. It will give you some good alternate exercises.

http://hprc-online.org/performance-optimization/physical-fitness/physical-fitness-resources

Physical Fitness Resources — Human Performance Resource Center

Use these resources from around the to improve your physical fitness.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 5:18 AM

2015-02-19T05:18:37-05:00

Find and use local trainers if you do not have access to a MFT. Most of your certified Crossfit trainers will provide a basic overview of a few exercises that you can do with your soldiers on profile. If anyone in your unit is involved with a local Crossfit box then they will usually run a one time "on ramp" class that can be structured towards those with certain issues.
I know that certain people don't like Crossfit, so if you are one of them just take my advice as you would with any other that you don't like or need.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 5:04 PM

2015-02-20T17:04:30-05:00

FM 7-22, Chapter 6, Reconditioning, Executing Unit Reconditioning Programs. I hope this helps.

NAILED IT.....

Response by SGT Alicia Brenneis made Feb 21 at 2015 9:18 PM

2015-02-21T21:18:01-05:00

There is a physical therapy program called RPRT. I did it at FT. Gordon after recovering from surgery. I don't remember the specifics but we started implementing it into our company profile PT sessions. Everyone can participate unless the profile specifically says NO PT. Every exercise is adaptable to different injuries. It is a self motivated pace. for example: exercise x,y, or, z for 1 min. The goal is to increase endurance at your own pace in the CORRECT form. It helps because if you can only do 10 pushups correctly in the beginning by the end of week two you should be able to increase that number drastically. Correct form is key.

http://www.armyprt.com/special_conditioning_programs/reconditioning.shtml

Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT) Information

We provide the easiest way to get all the information you need about the U.S. Army PRT Program.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2018 2:54 PM

2018-04-10T14:54:48-04:00

Is rucking limited by the profiles? Aside from very risk-adverse 1SGs/CDRs, I doubt you guys will be frowned on for going on well-planned, CONOP-backed ruck marches. As long as the reasons for profiles aren't hip, abdominal, or shoulder-related, I'd plan on doing 3-mile ruck marches in lieu of running. That mileage is doable if you keep a pace between 18-20 min/mile with enough time to do a quick warm up and cool down within the allotted 90 minutes for PT (assuming that's how your unit rolls).

Each individual could adjust the weight on their rucks based on their own physical limitations. I hope this helps although I find that this question is over a year old.