Air Force Personnel Center - AF Fitness Program

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Revisions to the Air Force fitness program take effect July 1, 2010. Biannual testing under the current standards begins Jan. 1. These modifications, improvements and upgrades will bring about some of the most significant changes to fitness standards in the last five years and shift a greater level of responsibility for maintaining year-round physical fitness to all Airmen.

The Air Force Fitness Program goal is to motivate Airmen to participate in a year-round physical conditioning program that emphasizes total fitness, to include proper aerobic conditioning, strength and flexibility training, and healthy eating. Health benefits from an active lifestyle will increase productivity, optimize health, and decrease absenteeism while maintaining a higher level of readiness.

What's New?

Airmen transition into new fitness program

Fitness Assessment

The Air Force uses an overall composite fitness score and minimum scores per component based on aerobic fitness, body composition and muscular fitness components to determine an overall fitness. The assessment components are comprised of:

Body composition evaluated by abdominal circumference measurements
Aerobic component evaluated by the 1.5-mile timed run
Muscular fitness component evaluated by the number of pushups and sit-ups completed within one minute

Members not medically cleared to complete the 1.5-mile run will be assessed through an alternative aerobic test consisting of a 1.0-mile walk as determined by the exercise physiologist/fitness program manager unless otherwise exempted.

All components of the fitness assessment must be completed within a three-hour window on the same day.

The body composition assessment, to include height, weight and abdominal circumference measurements, is performed by fitness assessment cell staff and must be the first component assessed. The abdominal circumference is used to obtain the body composition component score instead of the Body Mass Index, or BMI. Height and weight are not factored into the composite score.

The muscular fitness components, including pushups and sit-ups, may be accomplished before or after the 1.5-mile run (or 1-mile walk test for eligible members). There is a minimum three-minute rest period between components.

Fitness assessments will be completed by fitness assessment cell staff. Where no fitness assessment cell exists, assessments will be conducted by a certified unit fitness program manager or physical training leader.

Scoring

Members will receive age and gender-specific composite scores based on the following maximum component scores: 60 points for aerobic, 20 points for body composition, 10 points for pushups and 10 points for sit-ups.

Those with duty limiting conditions prohibiting them from performing one or more components of the fitness assessment will have a composite score calculated on the assessed components; however, they will only receive an overall "Pass" or "Fail" rating. Members must achieve a minimum of 75 adjusted points, based on points available, and meet minimum component standards.

Fitness Categories

Members testing in all four components will receive a score in one of three categories:

Excellent: Composite score equal to or greater than 90 with all minimum components met.
Satisfactory: Composite score of 75 - 89.99 with all minimum components met.
Unsatisfactory: Composite score less than 75 and/or one or more minimum components not met.

Those with exemptions testing in one to three components, will be categorized as:

Pass: Adjusted composite score equal to or greater than 75 with all tested component minimums met.
Fail: Adjusted composite score less than 75 and/or one or more tested component minimums not met.
Exempt: All four components exempted.

Airmen achieving and maintaining excellent fitness assessment scores will be allowed to wear a patch on their PT uniform recognizing their accomplishment. Patches will be awarded for the following:

Excellent: Airmen with a current fitness assessment score of equal to or greater than 90 and meeting all component minimum requirements.
Sustained Excellence: Airmen with the most recent four or more tests over a continuous minimum two- year period with fitness assessment scores equal to or greater than 90 and meeting all component minimum requirements.
Maximum Performer: Airmen with a current fitness assessment score of 100.
Sustained Maximum: Airmen with the most recent four or more tests over a continuous minimum two- year period with fitness assessment scores of 100.