An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 | By Sgt ShAnE WhELAn PhotoS By Sgt KARL ByRnE A wide range of subjects are covered on the course, including:- Anatomy and physiology, where we learn about the skeletal, muscular, respitory, circulatory and energy systems, and how the body reacts physiologically during exercise; Nutrition, which covers nutrients, vitamins, fluids and their role in diet, exercise and weight control; Mental skills training, which teaches how to get the best from different personality types through motivation and goal setting; Military fitness, where we learn how to prepare troops to physically withstand the rigours of combat (a major part of a PTI's responsibilities) and which includes introducing soldiers to skills like crawling, rope climbing, climbing, and lifting, as well how to conduct military skills circuits, conducting fitness tests, route marches, or any other type of military fitness exer- cise safely and effectively; DF fitness tests, including conducting annual fitness tests parts 1, 2 and 3 and learning how to aid people in achieving the fitness levels required to pass their ITs; Exercising to music and step aerobics, including designing and choreographing exercises to music and step aerobics classes; Circuit and resistance training, which includes the different types of equipment used and instruction on the basic lifts, as well as designing training programmes for different indi- vidual needs; First aid, incorporating a three-day PHECC Level 2 first aid responder course, during which students receive training on CPR and the use of the AED, how to deal with suspected spinal inju- ries, bandaging, haemorrhage control, fractures, and much more; Functional movement screening, where we learn to identify imbalances in mobility and stability that could lead to injuries while exercising; Run training, where we learn about programme planning for different methods of training through running, such as long slow runs, hill training, interval training, and fartlek training, and how to conduct these types of training with individuals and large groups, safely and effectively; During this phase students also complete the Military Ob- stacle Instructors Course, a tough but enjoyable week during which they learn the techniques to cross 11 different obstacles confidently, as well as learning how to safely conduct training on an obstacle course and how to react to emergency situ- ations that may arise during training. The obstacle course is a great facility for improving a soldier's military fitness and preparing him or her for future operations. The last four weeks of the course consists of completing the National Certificate in Exercise and Fitness (NCEF) block, where O n 29 January 2018, I was one of 15 nCos who reported to the Physical Education School (DFPES) in the Curragh, ready to train to become physical training instructors (PtIs). The 16-week course is physically and mentally challenging, and covers everything students require in terms of professional knowl- edge and skills.

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