FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 22, 2015) -- A focus area for the Maneuver Center of Excellence is to enhance the physical resiliency of basic combat training and one station unit training populations. The MCoE is doing this by assessing an Improved Fitness Training Program to drive innovation.

The program uses several evidence-based practices such as activity, nutrition and sleep from the Performance Triad with the goal of optimizing performance and reducing injuries, said Capt. Carson Featherstone, E Company commander, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment.

"(We're) trying to reduce injuries while also improving physical fitness," Featherstone said. "(We) want to provide the knowledge and a training environment that allows trainees to have a better understanding of fitness and better prepare them for their transition into (Forces Command)."

A Troop, 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry Regiment, is another OSUT company using the program, which also tracks the amount of sleep the Soldiers get, introduces a midweek active recovery day into the physical fitness training schedule, and increases calcium and vitamin D consumption to reduce stress fractures, to name a few of the initiatives within the program, said Lt. Col. Greg Burbelo, Directorate of Training and Doctrine executive officer. This improved fitness program is supported by a host of collaborative partners to include Performance Nutrition Combat Feeding, U.S. Army Natick Soldier, Research Development and Engineering Center, the Army Research Institute, U.S. Army Physical Fitness School and MEDCOM Performance Triad SMEs.

One aspect of the program is to increase strength by using kettlebells and weights - focusing on developing muscular strength rather than cardiovascular endurance, - Featherstone said.

Pvt. Sonny Contreras, E Co., 1st Bn., 19th Inf. Regt., said he thinks the program is great.

"I played college football before and I've done powerlifting. Using weights is nothing new to me, but I understand what the Army is trying to do and I like the idea of it. I think it's helping the guys a lot," Contreras said.

Another aspect of the IFTP is nutrition.

"We need to provide Soldiers and trainees with the right fuel at the right time," Featherstone said. "Therefore, we augment the three traditional meals a trainee receives during the day with what we are calling a fourth meal that consists of milk and a First Strike bar."

This program provides a First Strike, an energy bar specially fortified with added calcium and vitamin D. Previously trainees didn't receive any nutritional substance between dinnertime and breakfast, which is about a 10-hour period, Featherstone said. The energy bar and milk give their bodies something to burn off at night.

Another change is giving the Soldiers more time to eat to better consume the food nutritionally, Featherstone said. Now, they are allotted eight hours of sleep each night when they are in garrison instead of seven.

"Any chance we give them to sleep, they're going to sleep because every day is busy. Sleep is your secret weapon," Featherstone said. "Seven to eight hours of quality sleep is directly linked to optimal performance."

Another part of the program is allowing an active recovery day twice a week. Featherstone said Wednesday and Sunday are used for active recovery days, and instead of doing six workouts a week they now only do five.

"It just gives them a chance to rest," he said.

On active recovery days, Soldiers walk for about 10 minute and spend 30 minutes focusing on rehabilitation, advanced stretching, balance training, running GAIT analysis and reinforcing movement techniques, Featherstone said.

Pvt. Jayme Bryant, E Co., 1st Bn., 19th Inf. Regt., said he sees the benefit of active recovery days.

"Recovery days really help. It helps us get rid of all the tension in our muscles and helps us recoup for the next day of training," Bryant said.

Trainees are also spending less time on their feet, Featherstone said.

"There is a lot of standing up in basic training, but we try to look for opportunities where they don't need to be standing in formation for no reason," Featherstone said. "We can still incite discipline, but if they don't need to stand at attention in formation we either put them at ease or sit them down if they're in the field."

Once formal training has been completed for the day and trainees are back at the company area, they change from boots to running shoes, Featherstone said, which decreases the amount of wear and tear on their feet and lower leg muscles.

The program also implements a goal-setting initiative based on the Army physical fitness test.

"We have the trainees fill out a goal-setting sheet for the five APFTs they have to take. The ability to manage goals in life is critical, not only to you and your Family, but the overall success of your unit," Featherstone said. "The more specific and harder - but attainable - goals you set lead to higher achievement."

In order to track the new program's success, Featherstone said the unit is collecting data on the workouts, the amount of sleep, what kind of fourth meal they eat and the average miles the trainees travel.

"Civilian data analysts at MCoE take the information we send and look for trends to see if the changes are effective. (They are asking) what can we change, and how can we make it better," Featherstone said.

Featherstone said it's too early to tell what the results of the program will be, but hopes for a positive outcome.

"The trainees that come here are from all different backgrounds, and we have to get them ready for their transition into FORSCOM, because the operational force needs a better fit Soldier who is ready to meet the physical demands of combat," he said.