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Fitness Training

Women's Physical Wellness and Fitness Program

woman with baby working out in gym
This program supports DND/CAF’s commitment to increasing representation of women in the military by improving their recruitment, retention and enhancing overall wellness and fitness.

We will accomplish this through programs that address the unique wellness and fitness needs of women.

Provide relevant, targeted, and evidence-based physical wellness and fitness supports that address gender specific requirements throughout seven phases of a woman’s career.


Key Program Outcomes:

  • Prepare for occupational & operational training;
  • Reduce susceptibility to musculoskeletal injury;
  • Accommodate women during career interruptions; and
  • Maintain function through aging and gender specific development stages.

Priority Efforts

Pre-BMQ physical fitness training for applicants.
Increased sex-specific training focused on enhancing occupational related fitness by optimizing and increasing lean body mass at onset of career.
Epidemiology and advance analytics to guide the development of targeted interventions related to Operational/Occupational training and injury prevention.
CAF resources on Military Employment during Pregnancy: Pre-Natal/Postpartum (PNP3).
CAF emphasis on health related physical training to maintain lean body mass and achieve a healthy weight.

FORCE Test Compliance should also be an area of focus to guide support resource allocation.
Menopause and post menopause Physical Training resources.
  • PRIORITY EFFORT 1
    Pre-BMQ physical fitness training for applicants.
  • PRIORITY EFFORT 2
    Increased sex-specific training focused on enhancing occupational related fitness by optimizing and increasing lean body mass at onset of career.
  • PRIORITY EFFORT 3
    Epidemiology and advance analytics to guide the development of targeted interventions related to Operational/Occupational training and injury prevention.
  • PRIORITY EFFORT 4
    CAF resources on Military Employment during Pregnancy: Pre-Natal/Postpartum (PNP3).
  • PRIORITY EFFORT 5
    CAF emphasis on health related physical training to maintain lean body mass and achieve a healthy weight.

    FORCE Test Compliance should also be an area of focus to guide support resource allocation.
  • PRIORITY EFFORT 6
    Menopause and post menopause Physical Training resources.

Women's Wellness Continuum

  • 1ST POSTING (18-25 YEARS)
    Increased sex specific training focused on enhancing occupational relate fitness by optimizing and increasing lean
  • RECRUITMENT & BASIC TRAINING
    Pre-BMQ physical fitness training for applicants emphasis on individual needs based on self-assessment.
  • DEPLOYMENT (25-40+ YEARS)
    Epidemiology and advance analytics to guide the development of targeted interventions related to Operational/Occupational
  • PRENATAL/ POSTPARTUM PROGRAMS (PNP3)
    More CAF exploration on military employment capabilities during pregnancy and a post-natal program in collaboration with CFHS to ensure op readiness at return from long leave (6-18 months).
  • PROMOTION/ BACK AT THE DESK (40-50+ YEARS)
    CAF emphasis on health related physical training to maintain lean body mass and achieve a healthy weight. FORCE Test Compliance should also be an area of focus to guide support resource allocation.
  • MATURING (50+ YEARS)
    Menopause and post-menopause physical training resources. Evidence and research-based programming to ensure longevity aimed to protect against female-specific health matters like osteoporosis and sleep disturbance.
  • RETIRING
    Considering in advance what the CAF member wants to achieve or maintain with regard to physical fitness and wellness after retirement.

Family Workforce Sustainment

Key Activities:

  • Pre-BMT Physical Training Program;
  • Prenatal/Postpartum Program (PNP3).

The PES Occupational standard should be achievable within 6—18 months postpartum depending on the demands of the occupation and breastfeeding status.

PES Occupational Standard

Ready with Caution

2 months - 18 months Postpartum
Focus on training to return to occupational standard. Emphasis on:
  • Strength
  • Pelvic Floor
  • Diet
  • Aerobic performance

Ready

18+ months Postpartum
  • Back to operational fitness levels
  • No restrictions
  • Resume fitness testing and body composition assessment

Pregnancy and Immediate Postpartum period

Restrictions on:
  • Liftng
  • Risk related exposures
  • Occupational Standard

    Ready with Caution

    2 months - 18 months Postpartum
    Focus on training to return to occupational standard. Emphasis on:
    • Strength
    • Pelvic Floor
    • Diet
    • Aerobic performance
  • Mission/Role Standard

    Ready

    18+ months Postpartum
    • Back to operational fitness levels
    • No restrictions
    • Resume fitness testing and body composition assessment
  • Adapt and Protect

    Pregnancy and Immediate Postpartum period

    Restrictions on:
    • Liftng
    • Risk related exposures
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