Aircrew Conditioning Program
Optimizing aircrew performance, reducing injury risk, and enhancing operational readiness
The Aircrew Conditioning Program (ACP) is a preventative physical conditioning program designed specifically for operational and student aircrew. Delivered primarily by PSP Physical Exercise Specialists, the program supports mission readiness, performance, and long-term career health.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Aircrew Conditioning Program (ACP) is a specialized physical training program, designed to enhance performance and help minimize flight-related neck and back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries among RCAF aircrew. This evidence-based exercise program was developed in collaboration with allied countries such as such as the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), in response to growing concerns about the prevalence of neck and back pain among aircrew. It has proven effective in reducing and preventing neck injuries, reducing the prevalence of flight-related pain, reducing time away from flying, and improving physical performance. The program is comprehensive, supervised and tailored specifically for aircrew roles including door gunners, flight engineers, demonstration pilots, instructor pilots, operational pilots, student pilots, test pilots, and aircrew in non-flying positions.
The RCAF ACP was developed by a multi-disciplinary team with participation from various Canadian Forces Health Services groups – including Aerospace Medicine, Sport and Exercise Medicine, Directorate of Force Health Protection/Strengthening the Forces, Rehabilitation Physical Therapy – Personnel Support Program (PSP), Defence Research Development Canada, and the RCAF. The program is based on existing peer reviewed scientific literature and RAF/RAAF programs, and incorporates the lessons learned to meet the needs of the RCAF operational communities.
The RCAF ACP is a preventative physical conditioning strategy designed to be delivered to all operational aircrew and all student aircrew within the flying training system. The program is predominantly delivered by PSP Physical Exercise Specialists (PES), with support from Canadian Armed Forces physiotherapists and aviation medicine providers, and has been implemented in both training and operational flying units. To ensure safety, minimize injury, and maximize opportunity for progression and improved performance, the RCAF ACP can be adapted to meet individual needs and training goals, based on performance at each stage.
The RCAF ACP requires aircrew to complete at least two PSP-supervised exercise sessions per week, which include strength/aerobic and mobility components, combined with two neck strengthening sessions per week. The program is not intended to replace an individuals’ training program, but rather to become part of a comprehensive aircrew-specific conditioning program. Aircrew are encouraged to complete additional supervised or individual training sessions each week, to achieve a minimum of five (ideally six) sessions per week.
The RCAF ACP consists of five main elements each designed to distribute physical strain evenly, prevent injuries, and improve physical performance
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Flexibility and mobility
The RCAF ACP promotes specialized mobility techniques and programs. These strategies distribute physical strain evenly, preventing excessive load on specific body parts. They help alleviate lower back pain, boost mobility and flexibility, and augment load-handling efficiency. Regular flexibility routines are recommended for aircrew personnel to ward off flight-related dysfunctions.
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Core stability
Core stability is the body’s ability to resist external forces to remain in the same position. The RCAF ACP recommended exercises contribute to reducing low back pain in aircrew. Stability applies to the trunk, neck, and shoulder. The RCAF ACP predominantly teaches trunk rotational stability exercises.
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Strength training
Poor strength and flying posture causes increased muscular activity, leading to fatigue-related pain. The RCAF ACP includes strength and weight training to reduce flight-related pain and improve the pilots’ ability to combat +Gz and other stressors of flight.
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Cardiovascular training
Anaerobic training enhances the body’s ability to prevent G-LOC by improving venous return to the brain and reducing neck pain. The RCAF ACP includes cardiovascular metabolic conditioning sessions to increase energy storage and delivery. Guidance on a thorough warm-up and an effective cool-down is also provided.
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Neck strengthening
The RCAF ACP focuses on improving neck positioning awareness using core neck muscles to reduce possible airframe-related injuries. Increasing neck strength reduces fatigue, potential injury, and flight-related neck pain. Participation in a specific neck strengthening program is an effective method of reducing the risk of neck injuries on both a short and long-term basis.
Current locations offering the program
The RCAF ACP is currently available in Moose Jaw (SK), Portage la Prairie (MB), Cold Lake (AB) and Shearwater (NS). Development of a strategy to implement the RCAF ACP at other training and operational units across the RCAF is underway.
New locations to receive ACP
- Bagotville
- Valcartier
- Trenton
- Goose Bay
- Gander
- Esquimalt
- Greenwood
For more information, contact the PSP Reconditioning team of these locations or contact us via email at RCAFACP@cfmws.com .
Exercise examples from ACP
Pre flight warm-up
Coming soon
Isometric neck contractions
Perform these exercises prior to getting into the aircraft, and again when in the aircraft with the helmet on.
| Flexion
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| Extension
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| Lateral Flexion
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FAQ
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Who can participate?
- Aircrew (anyone with an Air Factor of 1-4)
- Aeromedical Training Officers
- Aerospace Control Operators
- Aerospace Controllers
- Aerospace Engineer
- Air Battle Space Manager
- Air Combat System Officer
- Air Refuelling Technician
- Air to Air Refuelling Operator
- Air Traffic Control Technician
- Air Traffic Controller
- Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators
- Aviation Physiology Technicians
- Flight Attendants
- Flight Engineers
- Flight Medical Technician
- Flight Stewards
- Flight Surgeon
- Loadmasters
- Nursing
- Paramedic
- Pilots
- Search and Rescue Technician
- Traffic Technician
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What equipment is required?
Inquire with your PSP staff for specialty equipment (i.e. head harnesses and lightweight pulleys systems).
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How much staff support is needed?
Supervised PT sessions with a Physical Exercise Specialist are mandatory for the completion of the program. Self-led PT can be done for basic program such as Pre-flight warm-up and Post-Flight Cool-down.
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How is ACP integrated with existing fitness programming?
The RCAF ACP is not intended to replace individuals’ existing training programs completely, but rather to become part of a comprehensive, aircrew-specific conditioning program.
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Who can I reach out to if I have more questions?
You can reach out to your local PSP team or at rcafacp@cfmws.com.
Program Resources
- Content Validity of Level Two of the Royal Air Force Aircrew Conditioning Programme in: Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance Volume 89: Issue 10 (2018) | AsMA
- Physical Conditioning to Enhance +Gz Tolerance: Issues and Current Understanding in: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine Volume 77: Issue 6 (2006) | AsMA
- Low Back Pain: Considerations for Rotary-Wing Aircrew in: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine Volume 83: Issue 9 (2012) | AsMA
- Prevalence and related factors for neck pain in military personnel: a systematic review - PMC
