The APFT is a three- e v e n t p h y s i c a l performance test used to a s s e s s m u s c u l a r endurance and cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness .

All soldiers in the Active Army,Army National Guard, and ArmyReserve must take the Army PhysicalFitness Test (APFT) regardless of theirage. The APFT is a three-eventphysical performance test used to as-sess muscular endurance and cardi-orespiratory (CR) fitness. It is a simpleway to measure a soldier’s ability to ef-fectively move his body by using hismajor muscle groups and CR system.Performance on the APFT is stronglylinked to the soldier’s fitness level andhis ability to do fitness-related tasks.An APFT with alternate test events isgiven to soldiers with permanent pro-files and with temporary profiles greaterthan three months’ duration.

While the APFT testing is an impor-tant tool in determining the physicalreadiness of individual soldiers andunits, it should not be the sole basis forthe unit’s physical fitness training.Commanders at every level must en-sure that fitness training is designed todevelop physical abilities in a balancedway, not just to help soldiers do well onthe APFT.

Commanders should use their unit’sAPFT results to evaluate its physicalfitness level. APFT results may indi-cate a need to modify the fitnessprograms to attain higher fitness levels.However, mission-essential tasks, notthe APFT, should drive physical train-ing.

Additional physical performance testsand standards which serve as prerequi-sites for Airborne/Ranger/SpecialForces/SCUBA qualification are pro-

Performance on the APFT is strongly linked to the soldier's fitness level and his ability to do fitness-related tasks.

vided in DA Pam 351-4.

Methods of Evaluation

Commanders are responsible forensuring that their soldiers are physi-cally fit (AR 350- 15). There areseveral ways they can assess fitnessincluding the following● Testing. This is an efficient way

to evaluate both the individual’s

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and the unit’s physical performancelevels.Inspection. This evaluates trainingprocedures and indicates the soundness of the unit’s physical fitnessprogram.Observation. This is an ongoingway to review training but is not asreliable as testing as an indicator ofthe unit’s level of fitness.Medical examination. This detectsindividual disabilities, health-re-related problems, and physical prob-lems.

Over-Forty CardiovascularScreening Program

The Army’s over-40 cardiovascularscreening program (CVSP) does thefollowing:●

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Identifies soldiers with a risk ofcoronary heart disease.Provides guidelines for safe, regu-lar CR exercise.Gives advice and help in control-ling heart-disease risk factors.Uses treadmill testing only for high-risk soldiers who need it. -

All soldiers, both active and reservecomponent, must take the APFT forrecord regardless of age unless prohib-ited by a medical profile. For soldierswho reached age 40 on or after 1January 1989, there is no requirementfor clearance in the cardiovascularscreening program before taking arecord APFT. Soldiers who reachedage 40 before 1 January 1989 must becleared through the cardiovascularscreening program before taking arecord APFT. Prior to their CVSPevaluation, however, they may stilltake part in physical training to in-clude diagnostic APFTs unless pro-filed or contraindications to exerciseexist. All soldiers must undergo peri-odic physical examinations in accor-dance with AR 40-501 and NGR 40-501. These include screening forcardiovascular risk factors.

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Overview

As stated, APFT events assess mus-cular endurance and CR fitness. Thelowest passing APFT standards reflectthe minimum acceptable fitness levelfor all soldiers, regardless of MOS orcomponent. When applied to a com -mand, APFT results show a unit’soverall level of physical fitness. How-ever, they are not all-inclusive, overallmeasures of physical-combat readi-ness. To assess this, other physicalcapabilities must be measured. TheAPFT does, however, give a com-mander a sound measurement of thegeneral fitness level of his unit.

Service schools, agencies, and unitsmay set performance goals which areabove the minimum APFT standards inaccordance with their missions (AR350- 15). Individual soldiers are alsoencouraged to set for themselves aseries of successively higher APFTperformance goals. They should al-ways strive to improve themselvesphysically and never be content withmeeting minimum standards. Compe-tition on the APFT among soldiers orunits can also be used to motivate themto improve their fitness levels.

Testing is not a substitute for aregular, balanced exercise program.Diagnostic testing is important in moni-toring training progress but, whendone too often, may decrease motiva-tion and waste training time.

The test period is defined as theperiod of time which elapses fromstarting to finishing the three events. Itmust not take more than two hours.Soldiers must do all three events in thesame test period.

Test Administration

The APFT must be administeredproperly and to standard in order toaccurately evaluate a soldier’s physical

fitness and to be fair to all soldiers.(Test results are used for personnelactions.)

Individual soldiers are not author-ized to administer the APFT to them-selves for the purpose of satisfying aunit’s diagnostic or record APFT re-quirement.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

The OIC or NCOIC at the test sitemust have a copy of FM 21-20 onhand. The supervisor of each eventmust have the event instructions andstandards. Scorers should have aclipboard and an ink pen to record theresults on the soldiers’ scorecards.

Two stopwatches are needed. Theymust be able to measure time in bothminutes and seconds.

Runners must wear numbers orsome other form of identification forthe 2-mile run. The numbers may bestenciled or pinned onto pullover vestsor sleeveless, mesh pullovers or at-tached to the runners themselves.

Soldiers should wear clothing that isappropriate for PT such as shorts, T-shirts, socks, and running shoes (nottennis shoes). They should not wearbasketball shoes or other types of courtshoes. BDUs may be worn but may bea hindrance on some events.

Anything that gives a soldier anunfair advantage is not permitted duringthe APFT. Wearing devices such asweight belts or elastic bandages may ormay not provide an advantage. How-ever, for standardization, such addi-tional equipment is not authorizedunless prescribed by medical person-nel. The only exception is gloves.They may be worn in cold weatherwhen approved by the local com-mander.

Each soldier needs a DA Form 705,Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard.The soldier fills in his name, socialsecurity number, grade, age, and sex.

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(See Figure 14- 1.) The unit will com- pertinent information in the commentplete the height and weight data. block. After the entire APFT has been

Scorers record the raw score for completed, the event scorer will con-each event and initial the results. If vert raw scores to point scores usinga soldier fails an event or finds it the scoring standards on the back ofdifficult to perform, the scorer should the scorecards. (See Figure 14- 1.)write down the reasons and other

Figure 14-1

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Figure 14-1 (continued)

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Figure 14-1 (continued)

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Figure 14-1 (continued)14-6

Figure 14-1 (continued)14-7

SUPERVISION

The APFT must be properly super-vised to ensure that its objectives aremet. Proper supervision ensures uni-formity in the following:● Scoring the test.● Training of supervisors and scorers.● Preparing the test and controlling

performance factors.The goal of the APFT is to get an

accurate evaluation of the soldiers’fitness levels. Preparations for ad-ministering an accurate APFT includethe following:● Selecting and training supervisors

and scorers.● Briefing and orienting administra-

tors and participants.● Securing a location for the events.

Commanders must strictly controlthose factors which influence testperformance. They must ensure thatevents, scoring, clothing, and equip-ment are uniform. Commanders shouldplan testing which permits each soldierto perform to his maximal level. Theyshould also ensure the following:

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Soldiers are not tested when fa-tigued or ill.Soldiers do not have tiring dutiesjust before taking the APFT.Weather and environmental condi-tions do not inhibit performance.Safety is the first consideration.

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Duties of Test Personnel

Testers must be totally familiarwith the instructions for each eventand trained to administer the tests.Correctly supervising testees and lay-ing out the test area are essentialduties. The group administering thetest must include the following:

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●OIC or NCOIC.Event supervisor, scorers, and ademonstrator for each event.Support personnel (safety, control,and medical, as appropriate). Thereshould be no less than one scorer foreach 15 soldiers tested. Twelve to

15 scorers are required when a com-pany-sized unit is tested.

OIC OR NCOIC

The OIC or NCOIC does the follow-ing:● Administers the APFT. The goal of the APFT● Procures all necessary equipment

and supplies.is to get an accurate

evaluation of the● Arranges and lays out the test area.● Trains the event supervisors, scor-

soldier’s fitness levels.

ers, and demonstrators.(Training video tape No. 21-191should be used for training thosewho administer the APFT.)Ensures the test is properly admini-stered and the events are explained,demonstrated, and scored accord-ing to the test standards in thischapter.Reports the results after the test.

EVENT SUPERVISORS

Event supervisors do the following:Administer the test events.Ensure that necessary equipment ison hand.Read the test instructions, and havethe events demonstrated.Supervise the scoring of events, andensure that they are done correctly.Rule on questions and scoring dis-crepancies for their event.

SCORERS

Scorers do the following:Supervise the performance of testees.Enforce the test standards in thischapter.Count the number of correctly per-performed repetitions aloud.Record the correct, raw score oneach soldier’s scorecard, and initialthe scorecard block.Perform other duties assigned bythe OIC or NCOIC.Scorers must be thoroughly trainedto maintain uniform scoring stan-dards. They do not participate inthe test.

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SUPPORT PERSONNEL

Safety and control people should beat the test site, depending on localpolicy and conditions. Medical per-sonnel may also be there. However,they do not have to be on site to havethe APFT conducted. At a minimum,the OIC or NCOIC should have a plan,known to all test personnel, for gettingmedical help if needed.

Test Site

The test site should be fairly flat andfree of debris. It should have the fol-lowing:● An area for stretching and warming

up.● A soft, flat, dry area for perform-

ing push-ups and sit-ups.

●

●

A flat, 2-mile running course witha solid surface and no more than athree-percent grade. (Commandersmust use good judgement; no one isexpected to survey terrain.)No significant hazards, (for ex-ample, traffic, slippery road sur-faces, heavy pollution).When necessary or expedient, a

quarter-mile running track can “beused. It can be marked with a series ofstakes along the inside edge. When thetrack is laid out, a horizontal midline279 feet, 9 3/4 inches long must bemarked in the center of a clear area. A120-foot circle is marked at both endsof this line. The track is formed whenthe outermost points of the two circlesare connected with tangent lines. (SeeFigure 14-2.)

Figure 14-2

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A 400-meter track may be used inplace of the standard quarter-mile(440-yard) track for the 2-mile run,However, one lap run on a 400-metertrack is 92 inches shorter than one lapon a 440-yard track. Eight laps on a400-meter track is 736 inches shorterthan eight laps (2 miles) on a 440-yardtrack. Therefore, soldiers who run the2-mile event on a 400-meter trackmust run eight laps plus an additional61 feet, 4 inches.

Test Procedures

On test day, soldiers are assembledin a common area and briefed by thetest OIC or NCOIC about the purposeand organization of the test. The OICor NCOIC then explains the scorecard,scoring standards, and sequence ofevents.

The instructions printed here inlarge type must be read to the soldiers:“YOU ARE ABOUT TO TAKE THEARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST,A TEST THAT WILL MEASUREYOUR MUSCULAR ENDURANCEAND CARDIORESPIRATORY FIT-NESS. THE RESULTS OF THISTEST WILL GIVE YOU AND YOURCOMMANDERS AN INDICATIONOF YOUR STATE OF FITNESS ANDWILL ACT AS A GUIDE IN DETER-MINING YOUR PHYSICAL TRAIN-ING NEEDS. LISTEN CLOSELY TOTHE TEST INSTRUCTIONS, ANDDO THE BEST YOU CAN ON EACHOF THE EVENTS.”

If scorecards have not already beenissued, they are handed out at thistime. The OIC or NCOIC then says thefollowing: “IN THE APPROPRIATESPACES, PRINT IN INK THE PER-SONAL INFORMATION REQUIREDON THE SCORECARD.” (If score-cards have been issued to the soldiersand filled out before they arrive at thetest site, this remark is omitted.)

The OIC or NCOIC pauses briefly togive the soldiers time to check theinformation. He then says the follow-ing: “YOU ARE TO CARRY THISCARD WITH YOU TO EACH EVENT.BEFORE YOU BEGIN, HAND THECARD TO THE SCORER. AFTERYOU COMPLETE THE EVENT, THESCORER WILL RECORD YOUR RAWSCORE, INITIAL THE CARD, ANDRETURN IT TO YOU.” (At thispoint, the scoring tables are explainedso everyone understands how raw scoresare converted to point scores.) Next,the OIC or NCOIC says the following“EACH OF YOU WILL BE ASSIGNEDTO A GROUP. STAY WITH YOURTEST GROUP FOR THE ENTIRETEST, WHAT ARE YOUR QUES-TIONS ABOUT THE TEST AT THISPOINT?”

Groups are organized as requiredand given final instructions includingwhat to do after the final event. Thetest is then given.

RETAKING OF EVENTS

Soldiers who start an event incor-rectly must be stopped by the scorerbefore they complete 10 repetitionsand told what their errors are. Theyare then sent to the end of the line toawait their turn to retake the event.

A soldier who has problems such asmuscle cramps while performing anevent may rest if he does not assume anillegal position in the process. If hecontinues, he receives credit for allcorrectly done repetitions within thetwo-minute period. If he does notcontinue, he gets credit for the numberof correct repetitions he has performedup to that time. If he has not done 10correct repetitions, he is sent to the endof the line to retake that event. He maynot retake the event if he has exceeded10 repetitions. Soldiers who are unableto perform 10 correct repetitions be-cause of low fitness levels may notretake an event.

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TEST FAILURES

Soldiers who stop to rest in an au-thorized rest position continue to re-ceive credit for correct repetitions per-formed after their rest. Soldiers whorest in an unauthorized rest positionwill have their performance in thatevent immediately terminated.

The records of soldiers who fail arecord APFT for the first time andthose who fail to take the APFT withinthe required period (AR 350-15, para-graph 11) must be flagged IAW AR600-8-2 (Reference B).

RETESTING

Soldiers who fail any or all of theevents must retake the entire APFT. Incase of test failure, commanders mayallow soldiers to retake the test as soonas the soldiers and commanders feelthey are ready. Soldiers without amedical profile will be retested not-later-than three months following theinitial APFT failure in accordancewith AR 350-15, paragraph 11.

Test Sequence

The test sequence is the push-up,sit-up, and 2-mile run (or alternate,aerobic event). The order of eventscannot be changed. There are noexceptions to this sequence.

Soldiers should be allowed no lessthan 10 minutes, but ideally no morethan 20 minutes, to recover betweeneach event. The OIC or NCOIC deter-mines the time to be allotted betweenevents, as it will depend on the totalnumber of soldiers who are participat-ing in the APFT. If many soldiers areto be tested, staggered starting timesshould be planned to allow the properintervals between events. Under nocircumstances is the APFT valid if asoldier cannot begin and end all threeevents in two hours or less.

The following paragraphs describethe equipment, facilities, personnel,

instructions, administration, timingtechniques, and scorers’ duties for thepushup, sit-up, and 2-mile-run events.

PUSH-UPS

Push-ups measure the endurance ofthe chest, shoulder, and triceps muscles.(See Figure 14-3.)

Equipment

One stopwatch is needed along withone clipboard and pen for each scorer.The event supervisor must have thefollowing the instructions in this chap-ter on how to conduct the event andone copy of the push-up scoring stan-dards (DA Form 705).

Facilities

There must be at least one teststation for every 15 soldiers to betested. Each station is 6 feet wide and15 feet deep.

Personnel

One event supervisor must beat thetest site and one scorer at each station.The event supervisor may not be theevent scorer.

Instructions

The event supervisor must read thefollowing: “THE PUSH-UP EVENTMEASURES THE ENDURANCE OFTHE CHEST, SHOULDER, ANDTRICEPS MUSCLES. ON THECOMMAND ‘GET SET,’ ASSUMETHE FRONT-LEANING REST PO-SITION BY PLACING YOUR HANDSWHERE THEY ARE COMFORT-ABLE FOR YOU. YOUR FEETMAY BE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12INCHES APART. WHEN VIEWEDFROM THE SIDE, YOUR BODYSHOULD FORM A GENERALLYSTRAIGHT LINE FROM YOURSHOULDERS TO YOUR ANKLES.

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ON THE COMMAND ‘GO,’ BEGINTHE PUSH-UP BY BENDING YOURELBOWS AND LOWERING YOURENTIRE BODY AS A SINGLE UNITUNTIL YOUR UPPER ARMS AREAT LEAST PARALLEL TO THEGROUND. THEN, RETURN TOTHE STARTING POSITION BYRAISING YOUR ENTIRE BODYUNTIL YOUR ARMS ARE FULLYEXTENDED. YOUR BODY MUSTREMAIN RIGID IN A GENERALLYSTRAIGHT LINE AND MOVE AS AUNIT WHILE PERFORMING EACHREPETITION. AT THE END OFEACH REPETITION, THE SCORERWILL STATE THE NUMBER OFREPETITIONS YOU HAVE COM-PLETED CORRECTLY. IF YOUFAIL TO KEEP YOUR BODY GEN-ERALLY STRAIGHT, TO LOWERYOUR WHOLE BODY UNTIL YOURUPPER ARMS ARE AT LEAST PAR-ALLEL TO THE GROUND, OR TO

E X T E N D Y O U R A R M S C O M -PLETELY, THAT REPETITION WILLNOT COUNT, AND THE SCORERWILL REPEAT THE NUMBER OFTHE LAST CORRECTLY PER-FORMED REPETITION. IF YOUFAIL TO PERFORM THE FIRSTTEN PUSH-UPS CORRECTLY, THESCORER WILL TELL YOU TO GOTO YOUR KNEES AND WILL EX-PLAIN TO YOU WHAT YOUR MIS-TAKES ARE. YOU WILL THEN BESENT TO THE END OF THE LINETO BE RETESTED. AFTER THEFIRST 10 PUSH-UPS HAVE BEENPERFORMED AND COUNTED,HOWEVER, NO RESTARTS AREALLOWED. THE TEST WILL CON-TINUE, AND ANY INCORRECTLYPERFORMED PUSH-UPS WILL NOTBE COUNTED. AN ALTERED,FRONT-LEANING REST POSITIONIS THE ONLY AUTHORIZED RESTPOSITION. THAT IS, YOU MAY

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SAG IN THE MIDDLE OR FLEXYOUR BACK. WHEN FLEXINGYOUR BACK, YOU MAY BENDYOUR KNEES, BUT NOT TO SUCHAN EXTENT THAT YOU ARESUPPORTING MOST OF YOURBODY WEIGHT WITH YOUR LEGS.IF THIS OCCURS, YOUR PERFORM-ANCE WILL BE TERMINATED. YOUMUST RETURN TO, AND PAUSEIN, THE CORRECT STARTINGPOSITION BEFORE CONTINUING.IF YOU REST ON THE GROUNDOR RAISE EITHER HAND OR FOOTF R O M T H E G R O U N D , Y O U RPERFORMANCE WILL BE TERMI-NATED. YOU MAY REPOSITIONYOUR HANDS AND/OR FEETDURING THE EVENT AS LONG ASTHEY REMAIN IN CONTACT WITHTHE GROUND AT ALL TIMES.CORRECT PERFORMANCE IS IM-PORTANT. YOU WILL HAVE TWOMINUTES IN WHICH TO DO ASMANY PUSH-UPS AS YOU CAN.WATCH THIS DEMONSTRATION.”(The exercise is then demonstrated.See Figure 14-4 for a list of points thatneed to be made during the demonstra-

Administration

After reading the instructions, thesupervisor answers questions. Then hemoves the groups to their testing sta-tions. The event supervisor cannot beready to begin. Successive groups do

the event until all soldiers have com-pleted it.

Timing Techniques

The event supervisor is the timer.He calls out the time remaining every30 seconds and every second for thelast 10 seconds of the two minutes. Heends the event after two minutes bythe command “Halt!”

Scorers’ Duties

Scorers must allow for differencesin the body shape and structure ofeach soldier. The scorer uses eachsoldier’s starting position as a guidethroughout the event to evaluate eachrepetition. The scorer should talk tothe soldier before the event begins andhave him do a few repetitions as awarm-up and reference to ensure he is

tion.) “WHAT ARE -YOUR QUES- doing the exercise correctly.TIONS?”

Figure 14-4

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The scorer may either sit or kneelabout three feet from the testee’sshoulder at a 45-degree angle in frontof it. The scorer’s head should beabout even with the testee’s shoulderwhen the latter is in the front-leaningrest position. Each scorer determinesfor himself if he will sit or kneel whenscoring. He may not lie down or standwhile scoring. He counts out loud thenumber of correct repetitions com-pleted and repeats the number of thelast correct push-up if an incorrectone is done. Scorers tell the testeeswhat they do wrong as it occurs dur-ing the event. A critique of theperformance is done following thetest.

When the soldier completes theevent, the scorer records the numberof correctly performed repetitions,initials the scorecard, and returns it tothe soldier.

SIT-UPS

This event measures the enduranceof the abdominal and hip-flexormuscles. (See Figure 14-5.)

Equipment

One stopwatch is needed along withone clipboard and pen for each scorer.The event supervisor must have thefollowing: the instructions in this chap-ter on how to conduct the event andone copy of the sit-up scoring stan-dards (DA Form 705).

Facilities

Each station is 6 feet wide and 15 feetdeep. Ensure that no more than 15soldiers are tested at a station.

Personnel

One event supervisor must be at thetest site and one scorer at each station.The event supervisor may not be theevent scorer.

Instructions

The event supervisor must read thefollowing: “THE SIT-UP EVENTMEASURES THE ENDURANCE OFT H E A B D O M I N A L A N D H I P -FLEXOR MUSCLES. ON THE

Figure 14-5

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COMMAND “GET SET”, ASSUMETHE STARTING POSITION BYLYING ON YOUR BACK WITHYOUR KNEES BENT AT A 90-DEGREE ANGLE. YOUR FEET MAYBE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12 INCHESAPART. ANOTHER PERSON WILLHOLD YOUR ANKLES WITH THEHANDS ONLY. NO OTHER METHODOF BRACING OR HOLDING THEFEET IS AUTHORIZED. THE HEELIS THE ONLY PART OF YOURFOOT THAT MUST STAY IN CON-TACT WITH THE GROUND. YOURFINGERS MUST BE INTERLOCKEDBEHIND YOUR HEAD AND THEBACKS OF YOUR HANDS MUSTTOUCH THE GROUND. YOURARMS AND ELBOWS NEED NOTTOUCH THE GROUND. ON THECOMMAND “GO”, BEGIN RAIS-ING YOUR UPPER BODY FOR-WARD TO, OR BEYOND, THE

VERTICAL POSITION. THE VER-TICAL POSITION MEANS THATTHE BASE OF YOUR NECK ISABOVE THE BASE OF YOUR SPINE.AFTER YOU HAVE REACHED ORSURPASSED THE VERTICAL POSI-TION, LOWER YOUR BODY UNTILTHE BOTTOM OF YOUR SHOUL-D E R B L A D E S T O U C H T H EGROUND. YOUR HEAD, HANDS,ARMS, OR ELBOWS DO NOT HAVETO TOUCH THE GROUND. ATTHE END OF EACH REPETITION,THE SCORER WILL STATE THENUMBER OF SIT-UPS YOU HAVECORRECTLY COMPLETED. AREPETITION WILL NOT COUNT IFYOU FAIL TO REACH THE VER-TICAL POSITION, FAIL TO KEEPYOUR FINGERS INTERLOCKEDBEHIND YOUR HEAD, ARCH ORBOW YOUR BACK AND RAISEY O U R B U T T O C K S O F F T H E

Figure 14-6

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GROUND TO RAISE YOUR UPPERBODY, OR LET YOUR KNEESEXCEED A 90-DEGREE ANGLE.IF A REPETITION DOES NOTCOUNT, THE SCORER WILL RE-PEAT THE NUMBER OF YOURLAST CORRECTLY PERFORMEDSIT-UP. THE UP POSITION IS THEONLY AUTHORIZED REST POSI-TION. IF YOU STOP AND REST INTHE DOWN (STARTING) POSITION,THE EVENT WILL BE TERMI-NATED. AS LONG AS YOU MAKEA CONTINUOUS PHYSICAL EF-FORT TO SIT UP, THE EVENTWILL NOT BE TERMINATED. YOUMAY NOT USE YOUR HANDS ORANY OTHER MEANS TO PULL ORPUSH YOURSELF UP TO THE UP(RESTING) POSITION OR TO HOLDYOURSELF IN THE REST POSI-TION. IF YOU DO SO, YOUR PER-FORMANCE IN THE EVENT WILLBE TERMINATED. CORRECT PER-FORMANCE IS IMPORTANT. YOUWILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TOPERFORM AS MANY SIT-UPS ASYOU CAN. WATCH THIS DEMON-STRATION.” (The exercise is thendemonstrated. See Figure 14-6 for alist of points that need to be madeduring the demonstration.) “WHATARE YOUR QUESTIONS?”

Administration

After reading the instructions, thesupervisor answers questions. He thenmoves the groups to their testing sta-tions. The event supervisor cannot bea scorer. At this point, the testing isready to begin. Successive groups dothe event until all soldiers have com-pleted it.

Timing Techniques

The event supervisor is the timer.He calls out the time remaining every30 seconds and every second for thelast 10 seconds of the two minutes. He

ends the event after two minutes by thecommand “Halt!”

Scorers’ Duties

The scorer may either kneel or sitabout three feet from the testee’s hip.The scorer’s head should be about evenwith the testee’s shoulder when thelatter is in the vertical (up) position.Each scorer decides for himself whetherto sit or kneel down when scoring. Hemay not lie down or stand whilescoring. The scorer counts aloud thenumber of correctly performed sit-upsand repeats the number of the lastcorrectly performed repetition if anincorrect one is done. Scorers tell thetestees what they are doing wrong as itoccurs during the event. A critique ofhis performance is given to each sol-dier after the event. When the soldiercompletes the event, the scorer recordsthe number of correctly performed sit-ups, initials the scorecard, and returnsit to the soldier.

When checking for correct bodyposition, the scorer must be sure that ata 90-degree angle is formed at eachknee by the soldier’s upper and lowerleg. The angle to be measured is not theone formed by the lower leg and theground. If, while performing the sit-up event, this angle becomes greaterthan 90 degrees, the scorer shouldinstruct the testee and holder to repo-sition the legs to the proper angle andobtain compliance before allowing thetestee’s performance to continue. Theloss of the proper angle does notterminate the testee’s performance inthe event. When the soldier comes tothe vertical position, the scorer must besure that the base of the soldier’s neckis above or past the base of the spine.A soldier who simply touches his kneeswith his elbows may not come to acompletely vertical position. The scorermust ensure that the holder uses onlyhis hands to brace the exerciser’s feet.

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TWO-MILE RUN

This event tests cardiorespiratory(aerobic) endurance and the enduranceof the leg muscles. (See Figure 14-7.)

Equipment

Two stopwatches for the eventsupervisor, one clipboard and pen foreach scorer, copies of the event’s in-structions and standards, and numbersfor the testees are needed.

Facilities

There must be a level area with nomore than a three-degree slope onwhich a measured course has beenmarked. An oval-shaped track ofknown length may be used. If a roadcourse is used, the start and finish andone-mile (half way) point must be clearlymarked.

Personnel

One event supervisor and at leastone scorer for every 15 runners arerequired.

Instructions

The event supervisor must read thefollowing: “THE TWO-MILE RUN ISUSED TO ASSESS YOUR AEROBICF I T N E S S A N D Y O U R L E GMUSCLES’ ENDURANCE. Y o uMUST COMPLETE THE RUN WITH-OUT ANY PHYSICAL HELP. ATTHE START, ALL SOLDIERS WILLLINE UP BEHIND THE STARTINGLINE. ON THE COMMAND ‘GO,’THE CLOCK WILL START. YOUWILL BEGIN RUNNING AT YOUROWN PACE. TO RUN THE RE-QUIRED TWO MILES, YOU MUSTCOMPLETE (describe the number oflaps, start and finish points, and courselayout). YOU ARE BEING TESTEDON YOUR ABILITY TO COMPLETETHE 2-MILE COURSE IN THESHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE. AL-THOUGH WALKING IS AUTHOR-IZED, IT IS STRONGLY DISCOUR-AGED. IF YOU ARE PHYSICALLYHELPED IN ANY WAY (FOR EX-AMPLE, PULLED, PUSHED,PICKED UP, AND/OR CARRIED)OR LEAVE THE DESIGNATEDRUNNING COURSE FOR ANY

Figure 14-7

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REASON, YOU WILL BE DISQUALI-FIED. (IT IS LEGAL TO PACE ASOLDIER DURING THE 2-MILERUN. AS LONG AS THERE IS NOPHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THEPACED SOLDIER AND IT DOESNOT PHYSICALLY HINDER OTHERSOLDIERS TAKING THE TEST, THEPRACTICE OF RUNNING AHEADOF, ALONG SIDE OF, OR BEHINDTHE TESTED SOLDIER, WHILESERVING AS A PACER, IS PER-MITTED. CHEERING OR CALL-ING OUT THE ELAPSED TIME ISALSO PERMITTED.) THE NUM-BER ON YOUR CHEST IS FORIDENTIFICATION. YOU MUSTMAKE SURE IT IS VISIBLE AT ALLTIMES. TURN IN YOUR NUMBERWHEN YOU FINISH THE RUN.THEN, GO TO THE AREA DESIG-NATED FOR THE COOL-DOWNAND STRETCH. DO NOT STAYNEAR THE SCORERS OR THEFINISH LINE AS THIS MAY IN-TERFERE WITH THE TESTING.WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS ONTHIS EVENT?”

Administration

After reading the instructions, thesupervisor answers questions. He thenorganizes the soldiers into groups of nomore than 10. The scorer for eachgroup assigns a number to each soldierin the group. At the same time, thescorer collects the scorecards and rec-ords each soldier’s number.

Timing Techniques

The event supervisor is the timer.He uses the commands “Get set” and“Go.” Two stopwatches are used incase one fails. As the soldiers near thefinish line, the event supervisor callsoff the time in minutes and seconds(for example, “Fifteen-thirty, fifteen-thirty-one, fifteen-thirty -two,” andso on).

Scorers’ Duties

The scorers observe those runners intheir groups, monitor their laps (ifappropriate), and record their times asthey cross the finish line. (It is oftenhelpful to record the soldiers’ numbersand times on a separate sheet of paperor card. This simplifies the recordingof finish times when large groups ofsoldiers are simultaneously tested.) Afterall runners have completed the run, thescorers determine the point value foreach soldier’s run time, record thepoint values on the scorecards, andenter their initials in the scorers’ blocks.In all cases, when a time falls betweentwo point values, the lower point valueis used and recorded. For example, ifa female soldier, age 17 to 21, runs thetwo miles in 15 minutes and 19 sec-onds, the score awarded is 95 points.

At this time, the scorers for the 2-mile run also convert the raw scores forthe push-up and sit-up events by usingthe scoring standards on the back sideof the scorecard. They enter thosepoint values on the scorecards anddetermine the total APFT score foreach soldier before giving the score-cards to the test’s OIC or NCOIC.After the test scores have been checked,the test’s OIC or NCOIC signs allscorecards and returns them to theunit’s commander or designated repre-sentative.

Test Results

The soldier’s fitness performancefor each APFT event is determined byconverting the raw score for each eventto a point score.

Properly interpreted, performanceon the APFT shows the following:●

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●

●

Each soldier’s level of physical fit-ness.The entire unit’s level of physicalfitness.Deficiencies in physical fitness.Soldiers who need special attention.

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(Leaders must develop special pro-grams to improve the performanceof soldiers who are below the re-quired standards.)Commanders should not try to de-

termine the individual’s or the unit’sstrengths and weaknesses in fitness byusing only the total scores. A detailedstudy of the results on each event ismore important. For a proper analysisof the unit’s performance, event scoresshould be used. They are corrected forage and sex. Therefore, a female’s 80-point push-up score should be con-sidered the same as a male’s 80-pointpush-up score. Using the total pointvalue or raw scoresinterpretation.

Scores Above

APFT events, the official, maximumscore on the APFT must remain at 300(100 points per event). Some com-manders, however, want to knowunofficial point scores to reward sol-diers for their extra effort.

Only those soldiers who score 100points in all three events are eligible todetermine their score on an extendedscale. To fairly determine the pointsearned, extra points are awarded at thesame rate as points obtained for scoresat or below the 100 point level. Eachpush-up and sit-up beyond the maxi-mum is worth one point as is every six-second decrease in the run time. Take,

may distort the for example, the following case shownin Figure 14-8. A male soldier per-forms above the maximum in the 17-21

Maximumage group by doing 87 push-ups and98 sit-ups and by running the twomiles in 11 minutes and 12 seconds.

Even though some soldiers exceed His score would be calculated as fol-the maximum score on one or more lows:

Figure 14-8

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The calculations on the previouspage, give the soldier a total score of318 points. This method lets the com-mander easily determine the scores forperformances that are above the maxi-mum. He may recognize soldiers fortheir outstanding fitness achievements,not only on the APFT but also forother, unofficial fitness challenges.Using this method ensures that eachsoldier has an equal chance to berecognized for any of the tested fitnesscomponents. Commanders may alsoestablish their own incentive programsand set their own unit’s standards (AR350-15).

Temporary Profiles

A soldier with a temporary profilemust take the regular three-event APFTafter the profile has expired. (Soldierswith temporary profiles of more thanthree months may take an alternate testas determined by the commander withinput from health-care personnel. )Once the profile is lifted, the soldiermust be given twice the time of theprofile (but not more than 90 days) totrain for the APFT. For example, ifthe profile period was 7 days, thesoldier has 14 days to train for theAPFT after the profile period ends. Ifa normally scheduled APFT occursduring the profile period, the soldiershould be given a mandatory make-update.

Permanent Profiles

A permanently profiled soldier isgiven a physical training program bythe profiling officer using the positiveprofile form DA 3349 (see AppendixB). The profiling officer gives theunit’s commander a list of physicalactivities that are suitable for theprofiled soldier. He also indicates theevents and/or alternate aerobic eventthat the soldier will do on the APFT.This recommendation, made afterconsultation with the profiled soldier,should address the soldier’s abilities

and preference and the equipmentavailable. (See DA Form 3349, Physi-cal Profile, referenced in AR 40-501.)

The profiled soldier must performall the regular APFT events his medi-cal profile permits. Each soldier mustearn at least 60 points on the regularevents to receive a “go.” He must alsocomplete the alternate event in a timeequal to or less than the one listed forhis age group. For example, a soldierwhose profile forbids only running willdo the push-up and sit-up events andan alternate aerobic event. He must getat least a minimum passing score oneach event to earn a “go” for the test. Asoldier whose profile prevents two ormore APFT events must complete the2-mile run or an alternate aerobicevent to earn a “go” on the test. Soldierswho cannot do any of the aerobicevents due to a profile cannot be tested.Such information will be recorded intheir official military record.

The standards for alternate eventsare listed in Figure 14-9. Scoring forall alternate events is on a go/no gobasis. Soldiers who do push-up andsit-up events but who take an alternateaerobic event are not awarded promo-tion points for APFT performance.

Alternate Events

Alternate APFT events assess theaerobic fitness and muscular endur-ance of soldiers with permanent medi-cal profiles or long-term (greater thanthree months) temporary profiles whocannot take the regular, three-eventAPFT.

The alternate aerobic APFT eventsare the following:● 800-yard-swim test.● 6.2-mile-stationary- bicycle ergome-

ter test with a resistance settingof 2 kiloponds (2 kilograms) or20 newtons.

● 6.2-mile-bicycle test on a conven-tional bicycle using one speed.

● 2.5-mile-walk test.

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Figure 14-9

800-YARD-SWIM TEST

This event is used to assess cardi-orespiratory (aerobic) fitness. (SeeFigure 14-10.)

Equipment

Two stopwatches, one clipboard andpen for each scorer, one copy each ofthe test instructions and standards, andappropriate safety equipment areneeded.

Facilities

A swimming pool at least 25 yardslong and 3 feet deep, or an approvedfacility, is needed.

Personnel

One event supervisor and at leastcontrol, and medical personnel must

Instructions

The event supervisorfollowing statement

YARD SWIM IS USED TO ASSESSYOUR LEVEL OF AEROBIC FIT-NESS. YOU WILL BEGIN IN THEWATER; NO DIVING IS ALLOWED.AT THE START, YOUR BODY MUSTBE IN CONTACT WITH THE WALLOF THE POOL. ON THE COM-MAND ‘GO,’ THE CLOCK WILLSTART. YOU SHOULD THENBEGIN SWIMMING AT YOUR OWNPACE, USING ANY STROKE ORCOMBINATION OF STROKES YOUWISH. YOU MUST SWIM (tell thenumber) LAPS TO COMPLETE THISDISTANCE. YOU MUST TOUCHTHE WALL OF THE POOL AT EACHEND OF THE POOL AS YOU TURN.ANY TYPE OF TURN IS AUTHOR-IZED. YOU WILL BE SCORED ONYOUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE THESWIM IN A TIME EQUAL TO, ORLESS THAN, THAT LISTED FORYOUR AGE AND SEX. WALKINGON THE BOTTOM TO RECUPER-ATE IS AUTHORIZED. SWIMMINGGOGGLES ARE PERMITTED. BUTNO OTHER EQUIPMENT IS” AU-

must read the THORIZED. WHAT ARE YOUR“THE 800- QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS EVENT?”

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Figure 14-10

Administration that each swimmer touches the bulk-head at every turn. The scorers record

After reading the instructions, the each soldier’s time in the 2-mile-runevent supervisor answers only related block on the scorecard and use thequestions. He assigns one soldier toeach lane and tells the soldiers to enterthe water. He gives them a shortwarm-up period to acclimate to thewater temperature and loosen up. Aboveall, the event supervisor must be alertto the safety of the testees throughoutthe test.

Timing Techniques

The event supervisor is the timer.He uses the commands “Get set” and“Go.” Two stopwatches are used incase one fails. As the soldiers near thefinish, the event supervisor beginscalling off the elapsed time in minutesand seconds (for example, “Nineteen-eleven, nineteen-twelve, nineteen-thir-teen,” and so on.) The time is recordedwhen each soldier touches the end ofthe pool on the final lap or crosses aline set as the 800-yard mark.

Scorers’ Duties

Scorers must observe the swimmersassigned to them. They must be sure

comment block to identify the time asan 800-yard-swim time. If the poollength is measured in meters, the scor-ers convert the exact distance to yards.To convert meters to yards, multiplythe number of meters by 39.37 and di-vide the product by 36, that is, (metersx 39.37)/36 = yards. For example, 400meters equals 437.4 yards, that is, (400x 39.37)/36 = 437.4 yards.

6.2-MILE STATIONARY-BICYCLEERGOMETER TEST

This event is used to assess thesoldier’s cardiorespiratory and leg-muscle endurance. (See Figure 14- 11.)

Equipment

Two stopwatches, one clipboard andpen for each scorer, a copy of the testinstructions and standards, and onestationary bicycle ergometer are needed.The ergometers should measure resis-tance in kiloponds or newtons. Thebicycle should be one that can be usedfor training and testing. Its seat and

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Figure 14-11

handlebars must be adjustable to let the Instructionssoldier fully extend his legs whenpedaling. It should have an adjustabletension setting and an odometer. Theresistance is usually set by a tensionstrap on a weighted pendulum con-nected to the flywheel. See AppendixD for guidance on using various typesof stationary bikes.

Facilities

The test site can be any place wherethere is an approved bicycle ergometer.This could be the post’s fitness facilityor the hospital’s therapy clinic. Eachtest station must be two yards wide andfour yards deep.

Personnel

One event supervisor and at leastone scorer for every three soldiers to betested are required. Appropriate safety,control, and medical personnel shouldalso be present.

The event supervisor must read thefollowing: “THE 6.2-MILE STA-TIONARY-BICYCLE ERGOMETEREVENT TESTS YOUR CARDI-ORESPIRATORY FITNESS AND LEGM U S C L E E N D U R A N C E . T H EERGOMETER’S RESISTANCE MUSTBE SET AT TWO KILOPOUNDS (20NEWTONS). ON THE COMMAND‘GO,’ THE CLOCK WILL START,AND YOU WILL BEGIN PEDAL-ING AT YOUR OWN PACE WHILEMAINTAINING THE RESISTANCEINDICATOR AT TWO POUNDS.YOU WILL BE SCORED ON YOURABILITY TO COMPLETE 6.2 MILES(10 KILOMETERS), AS SHOWN ONTHE ODOMETER, IN A TIMEEQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THATLISTED FOR YOUR AGE AND SEX.WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONSABOUT THIS EVENT?”

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Administration

After reading the instructions, theevent supervisor answers any relatedquestions. Each soldier is given a shortwarm-up period and allowed to adjustthe seat and handlebar height.

Timing Techniques

The event supervisor is the timer.He uses the commands “Get set” and“Go.” Two stopwatches are used incase one fails. As the soldiers pedal thelast two-tenths of the test distance, theevent supervisor should start callingoff the time in minutes and seconds(for example, “Twenty-thirty-one,twenty -thirty -two, twenty-thirty-three,” and so on). He calls the timeremaining every 30 seconds for the lasttwo minutes of the allowable time andevery second during the last ten sec-onds.

Scorers’ Duties

Scorers must ensure that the bicycleergometer is functioning properly. Theymust then make sure that the bicycleergometers’ tension settings have beencalibrated and are accurate and thatthe resistance of the ergometers hasbeen set at two kiloponds (20 new-tons). The scorers must observe thesoldiers throughout the event. Fromtime to time the scorer may need tomake small adjustments to the resis-tance control to ensure that a continu-ous resistance of exactly 2 kiloponds(20 newtons) is maintained throughoutthe test. At the end of the test, theyrecord each soldier’s time on the score-card in the 2-mile-run block, initialthe appropriate block, and note in thecomment block that the time is for a6.2-mile stationary-bicycle ergometertest.

6.2-MILE BICYCLE TEST

This event is used to assess thesoldier’s cardiorespiratory and leg-muscle endurance.

Equipment

Two stopwatches, one clipboard andpen for each scorer, a copy of the testinstructions and standards, and num-bers are needed. Although one-speedbicycles are preferred for this event,multispeed bicycles may be used. If amultispeed bicycle is used, measuresmust be taken to ensure that only onegear is used throughout the test. (Thiscan usually be done by taping the gearshifters at the setting preferred by thetestee.)

Facilities

A relatively flat course with a uni-form surface and no obstacles must beused. It must also be clearly marked.Soldiers should not be tested on aquarter-mile track, and they shouldnever be out of the scorers’ sight. Thecourse should be completely free ofrunners and walkers.

Personnel

One event supervisor and at leastone scorer for every 10 soldiers are re-quired. Safety, control, and medicalpersonnel should also be present asappropriate.

instructions

The event supervisor must read thefollowing: “THE 6.2-MILE BICYCLETEST IS USED TO ASSESS YOURCARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESSAND LEG MUSCLES’ ENDURANCE.YOU MUST COMPLETE THE 6.2

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MILES WITHOUT ANY PHYSICALHELP FROM OTHERS. YOU MUSTKEEP YOUR BICYCLE IN ONEGEAR OF YOUR CHOOSING FORTHE ENTIRE TEST. CHANGINGGEARS IS NOT PERMITTED ANDWILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICA-TION. TO BEGIN, YOU WILL LINEUP BEHIND THE STARTING LINE.ON THE COMMAND ‘GO,’ THECLOCK WILL START, AND YOUWILL BEGIN PEDALING AT YOUROWN PACE. TO COMPLETE THEREQUIRED DISTANCE OF 6.2MILES, YOU MUST COMPLETE(describe the number of laps, start andfinish points, and course layout). YOUWILL BE SCORED ON YOUR ABIL-ITY TO COMPLETE THE DISTANCE-OF 6.2 MILES ( 10 KILOMETERS) INA TIME EQUAL TO OR LESS THANTHAT LISTED FOR YOUR AGEAND SEX. IF YOU LEAVE THEDESIGNATED COURSE FOR ANY

REASON, YOU WILL BE DISQUALI-FIED. WHAT ARE YOUR QUES-TIONS ABOUT THIS EVENT?”

Administration

After reading the instructions, theevent supervisor answers any relatedquestions. He then organizes the sol-diers into groups of no more than tenand assigns each group to a scorer.Scorers assign numbers to the soldiersin their groups and record each sol-dier’s number on the appropriate score-card.

Timing Techniques

The event supervisor is the timer.He uses the commands “Get set” and“Go.” Two stopwatches are used incase one fails. As soldiers near the endof the 6.2-mile ride, the event super-visor starts calling off the time in

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minutes and seconds (for example,“Thirty-twenty-one, thirty- twenty-two, thirty -twenty-three,” and so on).

Scorers’ Duties

When the event is over, scorersrecord each soldier’s time in the 2-mile-run block. They initial the ap-propriate block and note in thecomment block that the time is for a6.2-mile-bicycle test and whether ornot the testee met the required stan-dards for his age and sex.

2.5-MILE WALK

This event serves to assess cardi-orespiratory and leg-muscle endur-ance.

Equipment

Two stopwatches, one clipboard andpen for each scorer, numbers, andcopies of the test instructions andstandards are needed.

Facilities

This event uses the same course asthe 2-mile run.

Personnel

One event supervisor and at leastone scorer for every three soldiers to betested are required. Appropriate safety,control, and medical personnel shouldbe present.

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Instructions

The event supervisor must read thefollowing: “THE 2.5-MILE WALK ISUSED TO ASSESS YOUR CARDI-ORESPIRATORY FITNESS ANDLEG-MUSCLE ENDURANCE. ONTHE COMMAND ‘GO,’ THE CLOCKWILL START, AND YOU WILLBEGIN WALKING AT YOUR OWNPACE. YOU MUST COMPLETE(describe the number of laps, start andfinish points, and course layout). ONEFOOT MUST BE IN CONTACT WITHTHE GROUND AT ALL TIMES. IFYOU BREAK INTO A RUNNINGSTRIDE AT ANY TIME OR HAVEBOTH FEET OFF THE GROUND ATTHE SAME TIME, YOUR PERFORM-ANCE IN THE EVENT WILL BETERMINATED. YOU WILL BESCORED ON YOUR ABILITY TOCOMPLETE THE 2.5-MILE COURSEIN A TIME EQUAL TO OR LESSTHAN THAT LISTED FOR YOURAGE AND SEX. WHAT ARE YOURQUESTIONS ABOUT THIS EVENT?”

Administration

After reading the instructions, theevent supervisor answers any relatedquestions. He then divides the soldiers

into groups of no more than three andassigns each group to a scorer. Eachsoldier is issued a number which thescorer records on the scorecard.

Timing Techniques

The even t supe rv i so r i s t hetimer. He uses the commands “Get set”and “Go.” Two stopwatches are used incase one fails. As the soldiers near theend of the 2.5-mile walk, the eventsupervisor starts calling off the elapsedtime in minutes and seconds (forexample,"Thirty-three-twenty-two,thirty -three -twenty -three, thirty-three-twenty -four,” and so on).

Scorers’ Duties

Scorers must observe the soldiersduring the entire event and must en-sure that the soldiers maintain a walk-ing stride. Soldiers who break into anytype of running stride will be termi-nated from the event and given a “nogo.” When the event is over, scorersrecord the time in the 2-mile-runblock on the scorecard, initial the ap-propriate block, and note in the com-ment block that the time is for a 2.5-mile walk and whether or not thetestee received a "go" or "no go."

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