Army Physical Fitness Test
Many resources have established the need for both cardiovascular and muscular strength
and endurance to be able to perform specific military tasks successfully.7,9,10,30 Soldiers are
required to be physically fit in order to be able to perform war time duties therefore, the
importance of objective measurements of a soldier’s physical capacity has constantly been an
important concept for the US Army. Currently, the Army only has one standardized
measurement to evaluate the physical capabilities for soldiers across the service.7,8,31
The current standardized measurement to evaluate the physical capabilities for soldiers
across the service is recognized as the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The APFT consists
of three timed events: two minute push-ups, two minute sit-ups, and a timed two mile run. The
use of the push-up event is to assess the muscular endurance of a soldier's chest, shoulder, and
triceps. The use of the sit-up event is to assess the muscular endurance of a soldier's abdominal
and hip-flexors (psoas major and iliacus). The use the two-mile run is to assess a soldier's aerobic
fitness and lower extremity muscular endurance. Each of the three standard events is scored on a
scale of 0 to 100. An overall score is determined by adding up the three event scores; thus the
maximum achieved score is 300 points. The points achieved for each event determines one of
two outcomes: pass or fail. To achieve a passing score, one must achieve at least 60 points for
each event, resulting in an overall score of 180 points. Scoring is based on sex, age category, and
number of repetitions performed or run time.7,9,10,30,31 Score tables are found on the Department
of the Army form 705.7,9,10,30,31 The personnel recommended for administering the APFT
include: an Officer in Charge (OIC) and/or Non-commission Officer in Charge (NCOIC), event
supervisor(s), one event scorer for every eight soldiers being tested, a timer and back up timer,
and required support personnel. Of the listed personnel recommended, a minimum of four people are required to administer an APFT: OIC or NCOIC, an event supervisor(s), an event scorer(s),
and support personnel.
DEEP SQUAT:
1. Stand tall with your feet approximately shoulder width apart and toes pointing forward.
2. Grasp the dowel in both hands and place it horizontally on top of your head so your
shoulders and elbows are at 90 degrees.
3. Press the dowel so that it is directly above your head.
4. While maintaining an upright torso, and keeping your heels and the dowel in position,
descend as deep as possible.
5. Hold the descended position for a count of one, then return to the starting position.
6. Do you understand the instructions?
Score the movement. The client can perform the move up to three times total if necessary. If a
score of three is not achieved, repeat above instructions using the 2 x 6 under the client’s heels.
HURDLE STEP:
1. Stand tall with your feet together and toes touching the test kit.
2. Grasp the dowel with both hands and place it behind your neck and across the shoulders.
3. While maintaining an upright posture, raise the right leg and step over the hurdle, making
sure to raise the foot towards the shin and maintaining foot alignment with the ankle,
knee and hip.
4. Touch the floor with the heel and return to the starting position while maintaining foot
alignment with the ankle, knee and hip.
5. Do you understand these instructions?
Score the moving leg. Repeat the test on the other side. Repeat two times per side if necessary.
INLINE LUNGE:
1. Place the dowel along the spine so it touches the back of your head, your upper back and
the middle of the buttocks.
2. While grasping the dowel, your right hand should be against the back of your neck, and
the left hand should be against your lower back.
3. Step onto the 2x6 with a flat right foot and your toe on the zero mark.
4. The left heel should be placed at _____________mark. This is the tibial measurement
marker.
5. Both toes must be pointing forward, with feet flat.
6. Maintaining an upright posture so the dowel stays in contact with your head, upper back
and top of the buttocks descend into a lunge position so the right knee touches the 2x6
behind your left heel.
