Is a change needed in how we measure fitness?

2015-02-17T18:23:22-05:00

There is a recent Washington Times article on the difficulty of getting new recruits, with 71% of inquiries being disqualified due to drugs, tattoos, or obesity. One solution for physical fitness was to create a pre-conditioning program, but what do you think about changing the way we look at fitness? Instead of using height/weight, what about having a performance-based fitness test? How important is what they look like compared to what they can do?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/16/army-reserve-candidates-tattoos-obesity-prescripti/

Army Reserve candidates’ tattoos, obesity, prescription drugs hinder recruitment effort

The majority of potential Army reservists are either hooked on prescription drugs, have too many tattoos, are overweight or have mental conditions that prohibit them from joining the military, recruiters say.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-02-17T18:35:49-05:00

I agree, Amn Scott Dean. There may be too much emphasis on height/weight. I'd be good with measuring fitness in a different way - say based on fitness standards - but it would have to include strength and endurance, and we should not lower standards to allow these younger, out-of-shape recruits to make the cut. I think that's the danger here - a potential lowering of the standards.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 17 at 2015 6:36 PM

2015-02-17T18:36:56-05:00

As the story says height and weight are just one factor disqualifying candidates from military service. I believe the height and weight standards need to be overhauled based on the fact that society has changed as well as eating habits and drinks. I weigh 220 and a personal trainer did not believe me she was no way are you that heavy and I was like yes and no I am not a muscle head. We all know muscle is heavy so we must take that into account as well. But again fitness is just one factor of the DQs.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Feb 17 at 2015 6:52 PM

2015-02-17T18:52:31-05:00

I have no problems with reducing the height and weight standards or eliminating them all together, but I think we need to raise the physical fitness standards. Not necessarily the entrance standards for PT, but after basic and AIT all soldiers should be able to pass a higher standard APFT. I have seen a lot of soldiers getting lax with PT requirements, and I know from a female perspective the minimums are fairly low (excluding sit-ups). Despite the fact that I'm against a new APFT for the chaos that will ensue following this change, a new APFT that can more appropriately measure physical fitness would be ideal. We all know the height/weight standards are all jacked up. I went to a chriopractor to help adjust my spine after jumping so I could get the extra 5lbs for an extra inch of height, all so I could put on 5 more lbs of muscle in the gym.

Response by PO1 Chris Crawley made Feb 17 at 2015 6:53 PM

2015-02-17T18:53:50-05:00

The height/weight and tape measure way of determining body fat percentage is the most inaccurate way of doing it, and has cost many Sailors their careers. It is especially bad for females who have had the misfortune of having kids and not having their hips go back to their original small size.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 6:56 PM

2015-02-17T18:56:53-05:00

We used to have something like that back when I was recruiting. For those that couldn't make the entry level BF% they had a test that involved a couple minutes of stair steps to a fast cadence and some push-ups. It was mostly to see the level of dedication figuring that if you could pass that test you would likely be able to work your way down to the standard.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-02-17T20:34:46-05:00

One minimum PFT standard for all regardless of age or gender. As far as the HT/WT, I am not sure to be honest. To say that appearance does not matter would be ignoring that perception matters. In reality your military appearance matters. Now if we are talking about heavy weight lifters etc. that's different but if you are obviously overweight and it is very apparent in uniform then that will reflect poorly on you and on all of us when you are seen in public. Now your physical ability is more important but your appearance does have an impact. it can be a negative impact or a positive one, that's just the reality

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 9:57 PM

2015-02-17T21:57:22-05:00

Oh man where to start with this one. Well first there is a natural progression to evolution and the current military standards are not inline with evolution of the human being. For instance people are taller, rounder, and heavier. That being said the only change in standards should be to exemplify the changing human evolution. How do you do that? I don't know, science does though. Second functional fitness is the way of the future. Fitness has evolved miles ahead of the recognition to human evolution. Once the two merry up then I think the military will be on level ground. Until then, I wouldn't want a young man or women to join the military that is obese or partaking in drugs, we can't keep up with the ones that are already in let alone lower the standard to allow more to succeed. Third, the military has to take a hard look at the standards already in place. Some testing is adequate for evaluation where as others seem to be just a movement with no real measurement of fitness. Lets take the run for example, some people are naturals where others struggle. Its not because they are incapable of improvement its the way they are made. Everyone can improve with effort, but how do you weigh the effort you put in with someone different? I don't know that either, we don't want to call our physical assessment tests cookie cutter, one size fits all, get with it or get out, but that is what they are. There are variations to the score, but how many long ball hitters do you know that struggle with running or pull ups/push ups?