Why Total Force Fitness?

Abstract

In this article we describe a new paradigm for “Total Force Fitness.” In an age of sustained conflict, fitness requires continuous performance, resilience, and recovery of the whole person, not just the physical body. Injury from these conflicts is physical and mental, social and spiritual. It impacts the service members, their families and communities, and the nation. It is now abundantly clear that if our service members are to protect the freedom and security of our nation, we must move beyond the idea of simply having a sound body to a more holistic view of health and fitness, that includes both mind and body. We illustrate how science supports such a paradigm with research on how mind-body-spirit and community all interact to sustain health and accelerate healing in the path of stress and injury. A shift to total force fitness will be difficult, but essential, perhaps even for our very survival.