Exercise physiologist keeps Grissom Airmen fit to fight

Published Oct. 15, 2015
By Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- The Air Force chief of staff's vision of fitness is one that supports a year-round culture of fitness. For one member of Grissom Air Reserve Base, she has spread that culture for over 20 years at five Air Force bases.

As the new 434th Force Support Squadron exercise physiologist, Arletta Eldridge-Thompson oversees Grissom's fitness program and helps ensure Airmen are fit to fight.

"I'm very excited to be here at Grissom," Eldridge-Thompson said. "The facilities are great, the people are kind and Airmen are excited to try new things for healthy living."

Eldridge Thompson said her greatest priority is addressing factors that may negatively impact Airmen's physical training assessment score.

"During my time working in the Air Force - both active duty and Reserve - when I see Airmen struggle with their PT test, it's usually because of three reasons - diet, sleep and exercise," she said. "If those three things can be addressed, not only do Airmen feel better, but they perform better and can live longer."

To ensure all Grissom Airmen are fit to fight, Eldridge-Thompson offers one-on-one appointments covering a range of health-related behaviors, including nutrition, exercise and tobacco cessation.

"I work with Airmen to provide them with the tools they need to improve and/or maintain [their health]," she said.

Though Eldridge-Thompson's vocation advocates for lifestyle health and fitness and its direct impact on mission accomplishment, she also leads by example.

"I don't compromise on diet, sleep and exercise," she added. "I exercise every day that I work, but I don't do it just to lead by example, I do it because it's a stress reliever and I want to be healthy."

According to Eldridge-Thompson, the most challenging and exciting aspect of her job is seeing Airmen enact positive behavioral changes.

"I feel like I was born to be an exercise physiologist," she said. "I love being able to interact with people and give them the tools to lead a healthy lifestyle. Many people are engrained in their behavior, which can be hard to change, especially for traditional reservists who are here only one weekend a month.

"But you can get fit on any type of a budget -you just have to look at your resources," she said. "Exercising doesn't need to be difficult - I get on the treadmill and set it to a high incline and walk one big hill."

Eldridge-Thompson said although making permanent lifestyle changes can be difficult, all Airmen are responsible for maintaining required physical fitness standards.

A native of Hardesty, Oklahoma, Eldridge Thompson earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and a master's degree in exercise physiology from Auburn University. A new Hoosier and potential Boilermaker, Eldridge Thompson hopes to pursue a doctorate degree in exercise physiology from Purdue University in the future.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Eldridge Thompson, call 688-2987.

The 434th Air Refueling Wing is the largest KC-135 Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the globe in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Exercise physiologist keeps Grissom Airmen fit to fight

Public Affairs Staff