The Proposed Army Physical Readiness Test (APRT)

1. The Proposed Army Physical Readiness Test (APRT)

2. Agenda • The Current APFT • The New APRT • APRT Administration • Individual APRT Events • Misc Questions

3. Current Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) • Push-Ups (2 Minutes) • Sit-Ups (2 Minutes) • 2 Mile Run

4. Current APFT • The intent of the current three event APFT is to provide an assessment of the physical fitness training program. • It was designed to ensure a base level of physical fitness essential for every soldier in the Army, regardless of MOS or duty assignment. • One of the advantages of the current APFT is that it is easy to administer. Unfortunately, it has formed the foundation of many unit and/or individual training programs.

5. Current APFT • APFT Performance does not relate to a soldier’s ability to perform his job or to a unit’s readiness to perform their mission. • Unit programs then must be designed to raise the level of conditioning to meet or exceed mission-related physical performance requirements. • Commanders must conduct physical readiness programs that enhance soldiers' ability to complete critical soldier or leader tasks that support the unit's METL, not just raise the unit APFT average. Preparation for the APFT is of secondary importance.

6. Army Physical Readiness Test (APRT) • The PROPOSED APRT will allow commanders to assess the physical capabilities of their soldiers. • Multiple assessments (events) are required since a broad range of physical attributes are necessary for optimal soldier performance. • Valid assessments must challenge soldier strength, endurance, and mobility. • To further strengthen validity the assessments must either predict the ability to perform critical soldier tasks or closely simulate the actual tasks.

7. Proposed APRT The PROPOSED six event APRT consists of the following events: • Long Jump (2 x 5 second jumps) • Power Squat (1 minute) • Heel Hook (1 minute) • Shuttle Run (6 x 25 yard sprints) • Push-Ups (1 minute) • 1 Mile Run (As fast as you can) Note: There are no exceptions to this sequence.

8. APRT Administration • All six events must be completed within two hours • The test period is defined as the period of time that elapses from the start of the first event to the finish of the sixth event. • NO RESTARTS ARE ALLOWED. • Soldiers are allowed a minimum of five minutes and a maximum of ten minutes rest between events. • The 1-mile run/walk must be taken if the APRT is to count as a record test. • A minimum of four soldiers are required to administer an APRT (event scorer, event timer and two soldiers to spot on the Heel Hook event).

9. Long Jump The standing long jump measures the ability to jump horizontally from a stationary position. It is an indicator of the soldier’s power, especially of the lower extremities.

10. Long Jump • On the command, ‘Get Set,’ the soldier stands behind the jump line assuming the forward leaning stance. • On the command ‘JUMP’ the soldier has five seconds to perform one jump maximally forward. They may crouch once or repeatedly as long as they jump within the prescribed time. • The amount and type of arm swing is the choice of the soldier. The scorer marks the shortest distance from the jump line to the landing point of contact nearest the jump line. If the soldier falls backward supporting themselves with their hands, the measurement is to the hand contact closest to the jump line. • Soldiers are encouraged to achieve a balanced landing. • Soldiers will be given two opportunities for this event. Scorers will record the longest of the two jumps. At the completion of each jump, the scorer will state out loud the distance you have jumped.

11. Power Squat The power squat measures the ability to perform repeated squats to a precise standard of execution. It is an indicator of the soldier’s muscular strength, power and endurance of the hips and legs.

12. Power Squat • On the command, “Get Set,” the soldier stands in the straddle stance with hands on hips. • On the command, “GO,” the soldier will repeatedly perform counts one and two of the power squat. • The grader will count only repetitions that meet the following criteria: 1) the heels must remain in contact with the ground, 2) the thighs and arm reach parallel with the ground, 3) the back remains straight (though the trunk will be tilted forward), and 4) the soldier fully returns to the starting position. • At the completion of each repetition, the scorer will state out loud the number of repetitions completed correctly. The soldier will have one minute to perform as many correct repetitions as possible.

13. Heel Hook The heel hook measures the ability to secure the legs on a bar while free hanging from the bar with the hands. It is an indicator of the soldier’s trunk strength, mobility, grip strength and endurance.

14. Heel Hook • Two soldiers waiting in line to perform the heel hook event will act as spotters and stand on either side of the soldier being tested. Spotters will prevent excessive swinging and ensure safety on the bar. • On the command, ‘Get Set,’ the soldier will mount the bar with an alternating grip, body facing the supporting posts and hang fully extended from the bar. One spotter will be positioned on each side of the soldier. • On the command, ‘GO”, the soldier will attempt to raise his feet above the bar and interlock them around the bar.

15. Heel Hook • The scorer will count only repetitions that meet the following criteria: 1) the soldier must free hang from the bar with arms fully extended; elbows are straight but not locked to begin the assessment. 2) the soldier places one foot over the other, or each foot on the bar; both heels are secured above the bar without assistance from spotters or supporting structures around the bar 3) the soldier bends the elbows as much as necessary to assist in obtaining the heel-hook position 4) the soldier must return to the starting position with arms fully extended to successfully complete the repetition.

16. Heel Hook • The soldier may not rest in the up or down position or the event will be terminated. The soldier maintains continuous movement throughout the exercise, except the slight pause at the heel-hook position which is necessary to demonstrate that the feet are secured. • As long as the soldier is making a valid attempt to attain the heel hook position, the event will not be terminated. • At the completion of each repetition, the scorer will state out loud the number of repetitions completed correctly. The soldier will have one minute to perform as many correct repetitions as possible.

17. Shuttle Run The 300-yard shuttle run measures the ability to repeatedly sprint after changing of direction. It is an indicator of the soldier’s anaerobic endurance, speed, and mobility.

18. Shuttle Run • On the command, “Get Set,” the soldier will move behind the starting line and assume the ready position of their choice. • On the command, “GO,” the soldier will run to a line 25 yards from the starting line. They must touch the line or beyond it with either hand, then return to touch the starting/finish line. This is considered one repetition. The soldier will perform six repetitions. • On the last (sixth) repetition, the soldier may run past the starting/finish line without touching it. The grader begins recording the time on the command of “GO” and stops when the soldier crosses the starting/finish line on the sixth repetition. • The grader will count only repetitions that meet the following criteria: 1) the soldier must touch the line or beyond it with either hand; if the soldier does not touch on or beyond the line, the soldier must return to the line and touch it for the repetition to count 2) The soldier must cross the starting/finish line on the last repetition.

19. No Change! Push Ups The push-up measures the strength, endurance and mobility of the chest, shoulder, triceps, and trunk muscles. It is an indicator of the soldier’s ability to lift the body from the ground and maintain stability of the trunk.

20. 1 Mile Run The 1-mile run measures the endurance of your heart, lungs, and leg muscles.

21. 1 Mile Run • On the command “Get Set”, all soldiers will line up behind the starting line. • On the command “GO”, time will start and you will begin running. • You are being assessed on your ability to complete the one-mile course in the shortest time possible. Although walking is authorized, it is strongly discouraged. If you are physically helped in any way (pushed, pulled, picked up, or carried) or leave the designated running course for any reason your performance in the event will be terminated. • THE PRACTICE OF RUNNING A HEAD OF, ALONG SIDE OF, OR BEHIND THE TESTED SOLDIER WHILE SERVING AS A PACER IS NOT PERMITTED.

22. Draft FM 3-25.20? • When will the new FM 3-25.20 be published? • FM 3-25.20 DRAFT is the proposal provided to the soldiers of the Army to train for physical readiness IAW the Army's nine principles of training (FM 25-100). • The manual is prepared for staffing requirements in the 1st QTR of FY02. After staffing and approval, it will be become doctrine. • The USAPFS has been teaching leaders how to conduct the activities in FM 3-25.20 DRAFT for the last 18-24 months.

23. APRT Adoption? • When will the Army adopt the new six-event Army Physical Readiness Test (APRT)? • Where can I find the scoring standards for the new APRT? • The APRT is a PROPOSED assessment that is designed to measure soldier physical readiness IAW the PRT components (strength, endurance, and mobility) described in FM 3-25.20 DRAFT. • Once approved, the USAPFS will develop standards based on current and ongoing research. The standards will be staffed and approved prior to an implementation date which is unknown at this time.

24. The US Army Physical Fitness School (USAPFS) • Instruction of the two-week Master Fitness Trainer Course (MFTC) will conclude at the end of TY 01. • A one-week Physical Readiness Training Leader Course (PRTLC) will be conducted by Mobile Training Team (MTT).

25. Questions ?