As the US Army changes it’s Fitness Tests the British Army are likely to follow suit.
As exercise science has advanced, so has the Army’s understanding of the beloved push-up, and its controversial cousin, the sit-up.
Rather than efficient measures of core and upper body strength, two attributes absolutely valuable to combat readiness, the service now recognizes that they both measure muscular endurance.
I would add that “feet held” sit ups create tight hip flexors and are the catalyst for the epidemic of lower back pain we see in the Military.
The British Army is following the American Army and finally reviewing the tests that have stood the test of time:
1.5 mile run
2 mins Max effort Press Ups
2 minutes Max effort Sit Ups
For as long as there has been an Army Physical Fitness Test, experts both inside and outside of the Army have known that the three events therein did not really measure how a soldier would perform in the Army’s most essential environment: COMBAT!
But it was easy to train for and easy to administer, so it endured, despite protestations that push-ups and sit-ups measure the same thing, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE, and not strength, agility or any other domain of fitness.
After decades of back and forth over how to improve not only how the Army tests soldier fitness, but how it fosters physical wellness and prevents costly injuries, the service is charging toward a new era of readiness with not one but two new tests.
US Army
SIX EVENTS
Deadlift:
With a proposed weight range of 120 to 420 pounds, the deadlift event is similar to the one found in the Occupational Physical Assessment Test, or OPAT, which is now given to new recruits to assess lower-body strength before they are placed into a best-fit career field. The ACRT will require Soldiers to perform three deadlifts (only one in OPAT) and the weights will be increased. The event can simulate picking up ammunition boxes, a wounded battle buddy, duffel bags or other heavy equipment.
-Standing power throw:
Soldiers toss a 10-pound ball backward as far as possible to test muscular explosive power that may be needed to lift themselves or a fellow Solider up over an obstacle or to move rapidly across uneven terrain.
-T-pushup:
In this event, Soldiers start in the prone position and do a traditional pushup, but when at the down position they move their arms outward and then back in to do another pushup. This allows for additional upper body muscles to be exercised.
-Sprint/drag/carry:
As they dash 25 meters five times up and down a lane, Soldiers will perform sprints, drag a sled weighing 90 pounds, and then hand-carry two 40-pound kettlebell weights. This can simulate pulling a battle buddy out of harm’s way, moving quickly to take cover, or carrying ammunition to a fighting position or vehicle.
-Leg tuck:
Similar to a pull up, Soldiers lift their legs up and down to touch their knees/thighs to their elbows as many times as they can. This exercise strengthens the core muscles since it doubles the amount of force required compared to a traditional sit-up.
2-mile OR 2 Km run:
Same event as on the current test. However, run scores are expected to be a bit slower due to all of the other strenuous activity.
The Tests have not been finalised yet, but the Bulletproofbodies team will keep you posted!
This is finally the change we have been campaigning for for so many years.
Functional Fitness here we come.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbeJ3yh0SHeAI7sBH0EU56A
