Development and validation of a physical fitness test and maintenance standards for Canadian Forces diving personnel

• Main Author: Goulet, Lindsay L.
• Other Authors: Docherty, David
• Language: English; en
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: deep diving; physical fitness; testing; UVic Subject Index::Humanities and Social Sciences::Education::Physical education and training
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1828/2310

The purpose of this research project was to develop and validate a physical fitness test battery and maintenance standards for Canadian Forces diving personnel. Four dive groups were studied including: Clearance; Ship's Team; Port Inspection; and Cbt divers. Seven sub-studies were conducted during the development and validation of the Canadian Forces Diver Physical Fitness Test (CF DPFT) and standards: 1) development of a preliminary test battery; 2) validation of the finalized test battery; 3) physiological demands comparison between field tasks and a simulated circuit; 4) development of the minimal standards for land-based activities; 5) development of the minimal standards for water-based activities; 6) determination of test-retest reliability; and 7) an assessment of adverse impact. The CF DPFT was developed and validated through various sources of information, including: feedback from subject matter experts; literature reviews; physiological measurements; interviews; focus groups; observations; and video analyses. The proposed CF DPFT provides a valid assessment of the minimum level of fitness CF diving personnel require in order to complete all CF-related diving duties safely and efficiently.