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Accession Number:
ADA278344
Title:
Development of Performance-Based Physical Screening Criteria for the U. S. Navy Fleet Diving Program
Descriptive Note:
Technical rept. Jun 1992-Jun 1993
Corporate Author:
NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND BETHESDA MD
Report Date:
1994-03-01
Pagination or Media Count:
22.0
Abstract:
The current U.S. Navy fleet diver physical screening test has been found to be a poor predictor of representative physically demanding job performance. A mismatch between diver physical capabilities and job requirements may increase the risk of injury and decrease productivity. To improve physical selection procedures, an Experimental Fitness Battery EFB was validated against representative physically demanding diving tasks. The EFB contained measures of body composition, power, muscular strength. and swim endurance. Job tasks included 1 Tool-bag swim, 2 5-min fin-kick, 3 Ladder climb, 4 SCUBA-bottle carry, and 5 Umbilical pull. Subjects were 146 male diver candidates age 25.1 or - 4.3 yr, X or - SD, range 18-37 yr undergoing training at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City FL. Results indicate a significant relationship exists between EFB scores and representative diving task performance. Although the EFB offers an improvement in job performance prediction compared to current selection criteria, caution should be used in implementing this battery for fleet diver physical selection purposes. Most of the variance in diving task performance cannot be accounted for by EFB scores. Greater emphasis should be placed on aligning physical training methods to meet job performance requirements. Occupational standards, Job performance, Physical fitness, Muscular strength.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
