New fitness test ‘no joke’

Published Sept. 21, 2010
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Two months into the new Air Force fitness program and Peterson Airmen have about an 80 percent passing rate on their new fitness tests.

Of those, 37 percent earned an "Excellent" score, exceeding Peterson fitness experts' expectations.

"A lot of people have drive and ambition to score 'excellent' because if you do, then you only have to take your PT test once a year, instead of twice a year," said Joshua Fly, 21st Space Wing Fitness Assessment Cell lead.

This summer, the Air Force launched a new fitness program incorporating some of the most significant changes to the fitness program in the last five years. One key difference in the new Air Force Instruction, which went into effect July 1, is that it sets minimum requirements for each component of the test and Airmen must pass all four components - cardio, sit-ups, pushups and waist measurement - in order to pass the test. In the past, an Airmen could have scored well in three areas and failed in one area and still earned an overall passing score.

"This test is no joke," Mr. Fly said. "You need to practice your PT test at least once a week - make sure pushups, sit-ups and running are a regular part of your workout."

The Air Force uses the 1.5-mile run to provide an estimate of an individual's aerobic fitness, and pushups and sit-ups are used to assess muscular fitness.

The new fitness program also aims to standardize the test and the scoring of the test by putting into place Fitness Assessment Cell teams -- 250 fitness experts across the Air Force who proctor all PT tests. On Peterson, there are two civilian FAC team members now and three more are expected to be hired in October.

"A lot of people come in here feeling like, 'this isn't my PTL testing me anymore, it's some guy I don't know,' " Mr. Fly said. "They think we are out to get them. We're not."

From July to August, 21st Space Wing FAC saw a slight decrease in the number of Airmen who failed the fitness test, from 22 percent in July to 20 percent in August. That's a trend Mr. Fly hopes continues.

"The goal is to get that number to 10 percent or lower," Mr. Fly said.

The 1.5 mile run is what eludes most of those Peterson Airmen who failed the test. For example, men under age 30 must run 1.5 mile in 13 minutes and 36 seconds. A woman under age 30 must run in 16 minutes and 22 seconds. Under the new rules, the run counts for 60 percent of the total score.

"I would recommend running two miles (in training) so your body gets used to the two miles," said Senior Airman Shawn Dunagan, 21st SW fitness journeyman. "Then, you only have to run a mile and half for the test, so your body is good."

Sit-ups are the other problem area for Peterson Airmen. Some fail this component because of sloppy form during the test - they are lifting their hands off their chest, or not touching all the way down with their shoulder blade, or resting in the down position. In a good sit-up, the shoulder blade must touch the floor, said Tech. Sgt. David Anderson, a FAC augmentee who proctors fitness tests. When an Airmen sits up, the elbow can hit anywhere on the thigh.

"Your rest position is only in the up position," Sergeant Anderson said. Airmen must realize that "if you rest in the down position, the test is terminated."

Sergeant Anderson, and other FAC augmentees, go over the rules of a proper sit-up and pushup before Airmen begin the test. A good pushup has the elbow at 90 degrees at the bottom of the movement and the arm fully extended at the top of the movement.

"If people are wondering what 90 degrees feels like, they need to be doing pushups in front of a mirror," Sergeant Anderson said. "We are seeing a lot frustration as far as this goes. We've had a number of people who have done five, 10, 15 (pushups) that didn't count."

An Airman who fails the fitness test will attend a mandatory intervention program at the Health and Wellness Center and then has 42 to 90 days to retake the test. Under the AFI, a second failure could result in a recommendation for discharge.

As winter months approach, Airmen might be expected to test on the indoor track, Mr. Fly said. It is 18 laps for the 1.5 mile and some runners don't like the tight turns. And, under the new AFI, there is no consideration for high altitude.

The wing's fitness experts say the best way to prepare for the test is to just do it - do sit-ups, pushups and run at least four times a week.

"We do need to be fit - especially as Airmen," Mr. Fly said.