The Office of the Army Surgeon General (OTSG) and US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) in Falls Church, Va., has launched a Performance Triad app (version 1.0) for iPhone and Android devices. The app is available as a free download by searching "Performance Triad" on your smartphone.
The Performance Triad that includes the tenets of Sleep, Activity and Nutrition is a key initiative of Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, Surgeon General of the Army and MEDCOM commander. The Performance Triad provides the framework to move Army Medicine from a healthcare system to a System for Health by guiding the force, family members, retirees and Department of the Army (DA) civilians towards readiness, resiliency and optimal well-being.
Army leaders, especially within Army Medicine, are excited about the launch. Lt. Col. Mark D. Mellott, the System for Health's Technical Lead, believes that using technology is key in making this and other health initiatives most effective. Mellott, along with other members of the Performance Triad at OTSG, teamed up with the US Army's Public Health Command (PHC) as well as the US Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), US Army's Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM)/ US Army's Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCoE) and developed the first version in less than six months.
Relatively easy to use, the app is an invaluable resource tool that offers tailored instructions and educational resources by demographic population. Mellott asserts that this is what sets the Performance Triad app apart from the other health apps is that information is customized to teach in different ways to specific audiences. "This app does everything from informing healthcare teams of what to say to their patients regarding good sleep, activity, and nutrition practices," attests Mellott, "to helping the warfighter in the field."
The Performance Triad app links to the Army Wellness Center (AWC) website to promote their services that are proving to help people lose weight and also learn more about healthy sleep and activity. Another resource the app links to is to Army H.E.A.L.T.H. This helps people to track their eating, activity and setting health goals. Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) is another popular source, which aims to educate Solders and beneficiaries on how to wisely choose supplements.
The Performance Triad Team has already received positive feedback about the app and the team is tracking these comments to inform the future versions. The short range goal of the app is to have beneficiaries easily access Performance Triad information through their smartphone of choice. Mellott is enthusiastic that future versions will be even more interactive; it will be synchronized with the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2) program, as well as the Global Assessment Tool (GAT 2.0) that allows individuals to confidentially assess themselves, based on the five elements of strength which are spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and family.
To download the app use keyword search "Performance Triad". For more information about the Army's Performance Triad please visit https://www.armymedicine.mil
(Mike O'Toole contributed to this article)
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