The Case for Pre-Enlistment Physical Fitness Testing: Research and Recommendations
Abstract
This paper reviewed the concept of physical fitness and outlined suggestions for a pre-enlistment physical fitness test. The components of physical fitness were identified by reference to factor analysis studies and to physiological concepts related to the components of physical fitness. The physiological validity and reliability of relatively simple tests of physical fitness were considered. Criteria against which physical fitness tests have been validated include a) performance on military tasks, b) injuries and c) attrition. The review resulted in three suggested courses of action. Course of Action 1 (COA1) was to keep the current Reception Station Physical Fitness Test consisting of push-ups (PU), sit-ups and a i-mile run. Course of Action 2 (COA2) involved a physical fitness test battery based on 1) findings in the literature, 2) the assumptions that the major components of physical fitness should be measured and 3) the assumption that fitness tests should be related to some criterion measure. The COA2 test consisted of an incremental dynamic lift (IDL), PUs and a 1-mile run. Course of Action 3 (COA3) recommended a research project that involves 6 major steps: 1) determining a set of critical military criteria, 2) determining a battery of physical fitness tests that are assumed to measure the fitness components associated with these criteria, 3) obtaining performance data on a representative sample of soldiers 4) validating and cross-validating the fitness measures against the military criteria, 5) selection of fitness test score that represent acceptable performance on the criterion tasks, 6) periodic re-evaluation of the fitness tests. The current entry-level physical fitness test (COA1) possesses some validity since individuals who do not pass the test are more likely to be injured or to attrite from service but the relationship with job performance is weaker and muscle strength is not measured by the test battery.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA426848
Entities
People
- Bruce H. Jones
- Joseph J Knapik
- Marilyn A. Sharp
- Salima Darakjy
- Sarah A Jones
Organizations
- United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine