Military Stresses Mental and Physical Fitness

By Stephanie Bloyd
Even before an Army psychiatrist allegedly shot and killed 13 people at Fort Hood, TX, in November, concerns were raised about the mental stress that America's armed services personnel have been under.

Earlier this year, the Army announced plans to address the issue. In August, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey said that the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, designed to help troops fight the mental stress associated with combat, would be added to basic training programs. The program will be covered in the first week of basic training and be continued throughout all levels of training for officers and enlisted personnel.

The Air Force announced plans requiring airmen to take a physical fitness test twice a year, beginning in July 2010. The changes, which have been met with some criticism, should help improve the overall health levels of Air Force personnel and save on military health insurance costs, according to Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley.

To better assess post-deployment health among sailors in the Navy, commands can now access their deployment health assessments online, according to an early 2009 Navy announcement. If sailors complete their post-deployment health assessment several months after returning home, the view of their overall health may have changed, sometimes for the worse. The post-deployment health assessment should identify stress injuries and other health concerns that require further attention or treatment.

University Rec Centers Focus on Green Efforts in 2009

By Stephanie Bloyd
Exercise equipment retrofitted to create energy is making waves in the world of university fitness. Although the amount of energy generated probably isn't enough to cover a rec center's total power needs, it can reduce utility bills, depending on local utility codes. Several schools installed retrofitted ellipticals this year, including the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, and Texas State University, San Marcos, TX.

Universities are at the forefront of going green in other areas, too. In May, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, began adding solar photovoltaic panels and solar water heaters to rooftops of its student rec center, aquatics center, parking garage and two other university buildings. The school worked in conjunction with an energy services provider to rent the solar equipment and minimize the cost of its initial investment to purchase and install the arrays. The University of Oregon also installed solar photovoltaic panels on its rec center roof.

The campus recreation center at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, received Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design gold certification status from the U.S. Green Building Council. The center features rooftop solar panels to heat the swimming pool, insulated concrete form walls, built-in recycling stations and native landscaping.

Notable Comings and Goings in 2009

• DEPARTURE: Michael Gerend,
  COO, Life Time Fitness
• ARRIVAL: Bud Rockhill,
  CEO, Spectrum Athletic Clubs
• DEPARTURE: Timothy Joyce,
  general manager, Nautilus
• ARRIVAL: Russ Findlay,
  vice president of sales,
  Town Sports International
• DEPARTURE: Tim Miller,
  CEO, Crunch
• ARRIVAL: Mark Mastrov,
  chairman, Crunch
• ARRIVAL: Jim Rowley,
  CEO, Crunch
• DEPARTURE: Mike Feinman,
  COO, Gold's Gym
• DEPARTURE: Randy Shultz,
  CFO, Gold's Gym
• DEPARTURE: Keith Albright,
  senior vice president, Gold's Gym
• DEPARTURE: James Weaver,
  CEO, Gold's Gym
• ARRIVAL: Jim Snow,
  president, Gold's Gym
• DEPARTURE: Kirk and John Galiani,
  franchisees, Gold's Gym
• ARRIVAL: Robert Giardina,
  CEO, HydroMassage
• ARRIVAL: Greg Hammann,
  CEO, Power Plate
• ARRIVAL: Larry Domingo,
  senior vice president, Star Trac

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