Human Performance Optimization: An Evolving Charge to the Department of Defense

Abstract

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences hosted a conference in June 2006 entitled "Human Performance Optimization in the Department of Defense: Charting a Course for the Future" with the goal of developing a strategic plan for human performance optimization (HPO) within the Department of Defense (DoD). The conference identified key issues: (1) advocating for HPO at all DoD levels, (2) defining HPO specific to DoD requirements, (3) developing valid and standardized metrics for HPO, (4) translating HPO research into the operational community, and (5) establishing effective communication and coordination across military services and within the medical, research and operational communities. The program objectives should enhance mental and physical resilience of the war fighter; accelerate recovery; reduce injury and illness; provide seamless knowledge transfer from laboratory to line; improve the human system contribution to mission success; and allow the U.S. to remain in the lead in this area.

Why Total Force Fitness?

“…Finally, lack of physical fi tness contributes to injury, which is the number one cause of lost duty days among service members. 18 What became clear at this conference is that these facts represent the tip of the iceberg and that a community approach to the management of health and fi tness is required. Although major medical diseases require standard medical treatment, more rapid and widely applicable nonmedical training approaches are needed for the majority of those who cannot perform optimally, for whatever reason.…”

“…At a previous conference on HPO, Colonel Francis O'Connor outlined the major capability gaps that our warfighters face in mission performance. 18 The conditions that prevent optimal mission performance in the military involve three major areas directly connected to HPO and total force fi tness: physical injury, being overweight, and psychosocial dysfunction.…”

Prediction of Injuries and Injury Types in Army Basic Training, Infantry, Armor, and Cavalry Trainees Using a Common Fitness Screen

“…4,8,24 The Army today is focusing on the lower overall fitness levels of incoming recruits and how these affect MSI rates. [25][26][27][28] Low fitness levels and higher MSI rates are known to be associated. 4,24,29 The decreased level of fitness of the incoming recruit mimics the decreased fitness and increased obesity evident in our population as a whole.…”

Human Performance Optimization

“…An Office of Net Assessment report came out in 2005 challenging the Department of Defense to take a look at how our most important resourcesour service members-were being prepared for the challenges and demands of the modern and future battlefield (24). In June 2006, the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) at the Uniformed Services University hosted a workshop entitled "Human performance optimization: an evolving charge to the Department of Defense," with the findings published in Military Medicine (8). The recognition by multiple authorities over the course of several years helped change the course of how DoD views human performance; one product that emerged from the multiple discussions and debates was the Human Performance Resource Center (HPRC), the DoD website for information relating to translational human performance (hprc-online.org).…”

“…In reaction to the aforementioned stressors and changing battlefield paradigms, the terms Human Performance Optimization (HPO) and Total Force Fitness (TFF) emerged as conceptual frameworks within DoD to enhance health, wellbeing, and performance among our warriors and their families (8). The health and well-being of the whole person, the family, the community, and the enterprise were viewed as fundamental to accomplishing our nation's mission (19).…”