US Space Force Drops Conventional Annual Fitness Tests, Utilizes New Wearable Tracking Device

The United States Space Force is developing new projects not just for the cosmic ventures to come, but also for the service members responsible for the mission controls.

Among the agency's latest innovations is a wearable device that could assist experts behind the scenes to track their daily activities. This initiative was relayed by the department to help its members achieve positive health and wellness in an easier approach.

Space Force's New Health and Fitness Care for Members

(Photo : SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
A French Air Force pilot and mechanic check a Mirage 2000-5F jet fighter at Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur air-base 116, in Saint-Sauveur, eastern France, on March 13, 2022. - As part of NATO's Enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission, which aims to preserve the sovereignty of Baltic airspace, the French Air and Space Force (AAE) will be policing the skies over Estonia from mid-March 2022.

Space Force's futuristic member health and fitness care promote an effective method that could make their personnel get ahold of a chance for a healthier lifestyle amidst the heavy workloads they manage every day.

The Space Force fitness tracker could guide people on their exercise habits and sleeping patterns among other aspects.

The device the agency develops is among the few plans slated out under the wider goal of modernization in the US military. But despite the benefits, the technology offers, many suspect that it could cause security concerns.

Space Force official Patricia Mulcahy explained last August 16 that the agency will soon utilize an approach for their annual fitness test that is different from what other military branches use.

According to a report by Newsweek, the conventional fitness tests will be replaced by a wearable device that is embedded with software to work with fitness, workout, and other health solutions available.

The agency's memo explained that the new course is expected to relay preventative measures, provide continuous monitoring of the overall fitness and health, as well as to increase the awareness of members. It could also motivate each of the personnel in the agency alongside their leaders to improve their collective performance, the memo added.

ALSO READ: Indestructible Robotic Animal 'Mini Cheetah' Can Run 9mph in Gravel, Ice, and Any Terrain

Guardians' Road to Better Well-Being

The wearable fitness tracker will be relayed to all the members, called Guardians, of the Space Force. They will all conveniently serve as participants for the beta-testing phase of the medium throughout its year-long evaluation.

The Guardians are expected to be given a black ring that will be worn for monitoring purposes. The same device was reportedly worn already by several individuals of the division officers prior to the memo. The ring specializes in reading heart rates, resting phases, and exertion.

Once the devices are deployed, they will be all paired to software provided by Texas-based company FitRankings. The same company is behind the success of other wearable techs seen in other commercial programs, such as Fitbit and Nike Run Club.

FitRankings also demonstrated its health data collection in previous partnerships with the USA Triathlon, USA Cycling, H-E-B, and fitness equipment provider Under Armour.

Space Force Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman explained that the Guardians would not be penalized or promoted based on the data that will reflect from the wearable trackers. The devices will simply serve as a monitoring guide that determines the physical readiness of each Space Force member, the official continued.

The long-term tracking approach that the agency will utilize will be a big leap from the traditional physical tests curated by the US military. Instead of an annual examination, the members of the agency would be provided with real-time health and fitness information that can assist them to select the choices for better well-being.