SAN DIEGO – Sailors assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) participated in a fitness enhancement program (FEP) swim class Aug. 22, at the building 12 pool on board NMCSD.
The FEP swim program was created to assist service members in increasing their overall level of physical fitness, endurance and speed without over-stressing their joints.
“The FEP swim program is a change from the normal land-based physical fitness training,” said retired Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Preston Thrift, lifestyles management program manager. “Instead of heavy running, members are taken to the pool where they are individually guided through various swim techniques with interval training.”
The program’s desired outcome is to improve individual Sailors' fitness, demonstrated by being able to pass the physical readiness test (PRT), as well as showing a decrease in overall body fat and an increase in lean muscle mass.
“The FEP swim class is an hour-long swim workout class designed to give Sailors another option to meet their FEP workout requirements,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Benjamin Chadderdon, leading petty officer, NMCSD command fitness office. “This program was designed to help improve the physical fitness of our FEP Sailors while also helping them to become better swimmers.”
Along with being taught proper swim techniques and building confidence in the water, Sailors also are taught about proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.
“By helping improve the Sailors’ fitness levels and teaching them proper nutrition, we believe we will be returning physically better and more confident Sailors to the fleet,” said Thrift.
The program runs Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
NMCSD’s mission is to prepare to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver quality health care services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMCSD employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in the San Diego region to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.
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