“If you are at a remote location or a location that does not have a pool or other needed equipment, those options become less equitable. “It’s important for our testing options to be available and executable for all Airmen at all locations,” Kelly said. Other exercise options such as swim, row, and bike tests were reviewed but are not being implemented at this time. During the six-month break-in period, units and Airmen will also be able to provide feedback on the new components that will allow any adjustments as necessary prior to live use. The six-month timeline will help ensure fitness assessment cells are prepared to train physical training leaders to administer tests using the new options. “In fact, I think we’ll find fewer people will prefer that option over the more traditional mile-and-half run.”Īir Force members and fitness monitors will have approximately six months for a break-in period to familiarize themselves with the use and execution of the alternative testing options prior to having them officially available in early 2022. Brian Kelly, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. The ‘walk’ is not a stroll in the park and both the pace required and method for computing aerobic fitness make it 100% equivalent to the run,” said Lt. “What we care about is measuring and testing aerobic fitness. Based on the rigorous scoring to pass this test based on age, weight, speed, and heart rate, there is no significant difference of scores between the walk and run tests. Test scores incorporate time to complete the 1-mile test along with the member’s age, weight, and heart rate at the time of walk completion. For example, the 1-mile walk alternative is a scientifically-valid estimation of the member’s aerobic capacity (also referred to as VO2 max), which measures fitness and aerobic power. From the data collected, the Air Force fitness working group conducted research and testing on the health benefits of the current fitness components and various other components to come up with the alternative options.Įach new component has been developed to be an equivalent measure of fitness regardless of methodology. This initiative is the result of Airmen providing feedback to Air Force leaders through the physical fitness working group in conjunction with looking at the way other services complete their physical fitness programs. Alternate components provide choices while still providing a mechanism to determine overall fitness.” We know not all Airmen maintain their fitness the same way and may excel in different areas. “More testing options will put flexibility in the hands of our Airmen – where it belongs. in the initial change announced May 2021. “We are moving away from a one-size-fits-all model,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Then select from traditional push-ups or hand release push-ups for one strength component and from sit-ups, the cross-leg reverse crunch or plank for the other strength component to complete the comprehensive fitness assessment.įinalized fitness assessment scoring charts, with alternative components broken out by gender and age, will be provided at a later date. The Air Force will provide Airmen five physical fitness assessment alternatives-three for the cardio portion and sit-up components and two for the push-up component of the physical fitness assessment beginning in early 2022.Īirmen will select from the traditional 1.5-mile run, 1-mile walk or the High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run (20M HAMR) to meet the cardio requirement. Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.
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