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Safety Essential During Physical Training
Sgt. Frank Vaughn
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq Physical fitness is a vital part of a Soldier's ability to perform his or her mission effectively, especially in the harsh climate of Iraq. Physical training not only provides strength and endurance, it also offers a boost in morale for many Soldiers.
However, there are safety issues to consider when conducting PT in Iraq, according to Maj. Douglas Badzik, preventive medicine physician with Multi-National Division - South surgeon cell.
"The summer heat is certainly something to be wary of," said Badzik. "I was here in August, and 120 degrees redefined hot for me."
The Lincoln, Calif. native added that hydration is essential for preventing heat injuries and should be accomplished with a proper mixture of water and drinks that replenish electrolytes. This combination is key to preventing hyponatremia, a condition defined by a deficiency of sodium in the bloodstream, caused by more water being taken into the body than expelled.
Badzik emphasized that Soldiers should also get proper rest on a regular basis.
"One of the things that can cause problems for Soldiers is a dependence on energy drinks and caffeine as a substitute for proper rest," he said. "These drinks make your engine run hotter and your body becomes a less efficient machine."
A proper diet is also important, according to Sgt. Kelly Laird, Division Surgeon's Office operations and administrative noncommissioned officer.
"As it gets hotter and hotter outside, your appetite can dwindle," the New Meadows, Idaho native said. "A smaller appetite, combined with higher levels of physical activity, can lead to unhealthy weight loss." He added that Soldiers who wish to lose weight should set a goal of losing about a pound a week until they reach their desired weight.
Badzik also urged Soldiers to be cautious about working out too much and turning to supplements for assistance in physical performance.
"Moderate exercise is best," he said. "Don't cheat Mother Nature with supplements. These essentially convert to testosterone and create an unnatural metabolism, which could increase the chances of suffering a heat injury."
Moderate exercise is best done on a regular basis, said Laird. Training hard just before an Army Physical Fitness Test after being sedentary for a lengthy period of time, a practice also known as a 'PT surge,' can be dangerous, especially in an extremely hot climate.
"There are several dangers to doing this," he said. "In addition to shocking your system with a sudden surge in physical activity over a short period of time, you also run the risk of serious injury, and at the very least, extreme soreness following workouts. This represents a serious threat to a Soldier's mission capability."
As the summer months approach, Soldiers should be smart about how they conduct physical fitness training. For more information, consult Army Field Manual 21-20 for guidance on conducting proper physical training. Additional information on general health and welfare can be found online at www.hooah4health.com.
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