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The AF Fitness Program
The Air Force PT Test/Fitness Assessment is one aspect of the overall
Air Force fitness program. The Air Force's stated Fitness Program goals are:
- To motivate Airmen to participate in a year-round physical conditioning
program. How do they motivate you? With a comprehensive fitness assessment
twice a year. You know it as the Air Force PT Test/Fitness Assessment, and failure to
pass can carry severe consequences.
- To emphasize total fitness, including proper aerobic conditioning, strength
training, flexibility training, and healthy eating. Part of this emphasis lies
in the Air Force PT Test requirements, which include both aerobic- and
strength-measuring components.
- To achieve Force-Wide health benefits including increased productivity, optimized
health, and decreased absenteeism. As the Air Force gets healthier, this goal
will be realized. It is for this reason that the Air Force is willing to put in the
time and energy to implement such a robust fitness program.
- To maintain a higher level of readiness. This is one of the
driving reasons the Air Force is willing to spend the time and energy on the fitness
program.
Why was the Air Force PT Test/Fitness Assessment changed? The Air Force discovered
that the previous PT testing/fitness program promoted airmen to "Train for the Test" rather
than embrace a Culture of Fitness. By changing the Air Force PT Test and the overall
fitness program, the Air Force hoped to encourage more airmen to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
So what's different in the new Air Force fitness program and PT test? The new
program has been designed to
increase individual assumption of responsibility for personal fitness.
The main difference most airmen will notice, however, is a PT test with stricter scoring
criteria that is administered twice yearly.
The Air Force uses an overall composite fitness score and minimum scores per component based on aerobic fitness, body composition and muscular fitness components to determine an overall fitness. The assessment components are comprised of:
- Body composition evaluated by abdominal circumference measurements
- Aerobic component evaluated by the 1.5-mile timed run
- Muscular fitness component evaluated by the number of pushups and sit-ups completed within one minute
Are you medically exempt from the 1.5-mile run? If so, you will be assessed through
an "alternative aerobic test" that consists of a 1-mile walk. This will be determined
by the exercise physiologist/fitness program manager unless otherwise exempted.
How is the test conducted? The fitness assessment must be completed within a three-hour
window. In other words, once you start the first part of the test, you must finish all
portions of the test within three hours or risk having your test declared invalid.
What is the body composition assessment? The body composition assessment,
including height, weight and abdominal circumference measurements, is performed by fitness
assessment cell staff. It must be the first component assessed during a fitness assessment.
The abdominal circumference is used to obtain the body composition
component score.
Are height and weight factored into the composite score? No. Height and weight are not factored
into the composite score.
How is muscular fitness assessed? The muscular fitness components, including pushups
and sit-ups, may be accomplished before or after the 1.5-mile run (or 1-mile walk test for
eligible members). There is a minimum three-minute rest period between components.
Who administers fitness assessments? Fitness assessments will be completed by
fitness assessment cell staff. Where no fitness assessment cell exists, assessments will
be conducted by a certified unit fitness program manager or physical training leader.
Find complete details in AFI 36-2905
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