How did you feel when the AF changed the standard of the walk test?

SSgt Paul Esquibel — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:14:42 -0400

Previously the standard was using your heart rate to determine your walk then it was changed to a pass or fail. To me having been injured before and taken the previously and current standard of test liked the old standard because to me it proved if you were in fact doing what you could do per your profile and to some effect progressing to get better and back to doing the run.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 24 at 2015 11:28 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:28:51 -0400

I think there are better ways to determine physical fitness

Response by MSgt Matthew Meindl made Oct 24 at 2015 1:54 PM

MSgt Matthew Meindl — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 13:54:02 -0400

Having done the ergo bike test, have never agreed with anything that is based on heart rate. Have a minimum standard and have people either pass or fail. Never agreed with a walk option, if "injured", reflect that person was not able to perform fitness test for that time period. Have seen to many people who did not maintain proper fitness and used the walk to get around the system. Heart rate differs between people (many things that can affect it). An increased heart rate at low exertion can actually reflect poor fitness.

Response by MSgt John Carroll made Oct 24 at 2015 4:01 PM

MSgt John Carroll — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 16:01:24 -0400

I haven't done the new walk test but I did do the old one once. It was after a surgery and I wasn't cleared to run, only walk. That test sucked. A mile and a half run was easy, that walk was no joke. I passed but my shins were on fire.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 5:29 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 17:29:55 -0400

What is your walk distance/time requirement? Because, for me in the Army, I have a perm profile to do the 2.5 mile walk and I have a max time of 36 minutes to complete it. I usually get it done between 33:10 and 34:50. And let me tell you, I am SMOKED after that walk. Winded. Heart rate high. Shins on fire.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2015 10:18 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 10:18:39 -0400

I think the major flaw with the prev walk test was that there was no time limit. I witnessed individuals literally strolling for the entire test and passing because the formula worked out for them. I tended to do it the other way go as hard as I could for the 1 mile usually 11:30-12:00 and finish with a HR 170-190 and passed every time. I think it was that inconsistency that drove the changes. Though I do wish it was more than a pass fail, because if you pass you are scored as exempt which doesn't look good on paper for those of us with chronic issues.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 26 at 2015 1:57 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 01:57:28 -0400

I never took the past version of the walk test so I can't speak on it's behalf but I know that the current one sucks. I was on profile due to foot/ankle issues during my last PT test and had to do the walk, I honestly think it made the pain I had worse. That and having never done it before I had no idea how to pace it so although I thought I had a good start I was actually starting slow. Damn near had to walk/jog the last lap to make the end in time. That test is horrible, particularly for the lower legs.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Oct 26 at 2015 9:12 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 09:12:28 -0400

The old (well the most recent old) walk test didn't factor in starting heart rate which caused some folks for auto fail. Now the OLD walk test was a BEAST. 3 miles in under 40 mins.

Response by MSgt Devon Saunders made Oct 31 at 2015 10:43 AM

MSgt Devon Saunders — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 10:43:30 -0400

Here's what I don't like. The fitness test consist of 4 components. Cardio (run or walk), push-ups, sit-ups, and BMI. If you meet your required time on the run, it goes in AFFMS as a pass. If you meet the required time on the walk, it goes in AFFMS as exempt, but don't meet the time? Fail shows. How are you exempt if you performed 1 of 2 cardio's? Secondly, I feel the AF punishes members who have a medical condition that prevents them from running by making them test every 6 months even though they scored over a 90 doing the walk test. The walk test is by no means a "walk in the park." Last point. They did away with the heart rate, fine. Then added a lap. Funny. And before anyone asks. Yes, I take the walk test and pass it with no problem. Just like runners have to run to stay in compliance, us walkers have to walk as well.