All soldiers in the Active Army, Army National Guard, and
Army Reserve must take the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
regardless of their age. The APFT is a three-event physical
performance test used to assess muscular endurance and cardio
respiratory (CR) fitness. It is a simple way to measure a
soldier’s ability to effectively move his body by using his
major muscle groups and CR system. Performance on the APFT
is strongly linked to the soldier’s fitness level and his
ability to do fitness-related tasks. An APFT with alternate
test events is given to soldiers with permanent profiles and
with temporary profiles greater than three months’ duration.
The APFT is a three event physical performance test used
to assess endurance. The three events are:
Sit-ups
Push-ups
2-mile run.
It is a simple way to measure a soldier's ability to move
his body by using a few major muscle groups and cardiorespiratory
system. The intent of the APFT in the Physical Fitness Program
is to provide a baseline assessment regardless of MOS or duty.
Test Sequence
The test sequence is the push-up, sit-up, and 2-mile run (or
alternate, aerobic event). The order of events cannot be changed.
There are no exceptions to this sequence. Soldiers are allowed
no less than 10 minutes, but ideally no more than 20 minutes,
to recover between each event. Under no circumstances is the
APFT valid if a soldier cannot begin and end all three events
in two hours or less.
PUSH-UPS
(2 minutes)
Push-ups measure the endurance of the chest, shoulder, and
triceps muscles. Click here
for Push-up Standards.
SIT-UPS
(2 minutes)
This event measures the endurance of the abdominal and hip-flexor
muscles. Click here
for Sit-up Standards.
TWO-MILE
RUN
This event tests cardiorespiratory (aerobic) endurance and
the endurance of the leg muscles. Click here
for 2-mile Run Standards.
Evaluation
To evaluate their physical fitness and the effectiveness of
their physical fitness training programs, all military personnel
are tested biannually using the APFT in accordance with AR
350-15. (Refer to Chapter 14.) However, soldiers may be evaluated
more frequently than biannually.
Test Results
The soldier’s fitness performance for each APFT event is determined
by converting the raw score for each event to a point score.
Point scores can be found on the Standards page for each event
(See Above).
SCORING CATEGORIES
There are two APFT categories of testing for all military
personnel: Initial Entry Training (IET) and the Army Standard.
IET Standard
The APFT standard for basic training is a minimum of 50 points
per event and no less than 150 points overall by the end of
basic training. Graduation requirements for AIT and One Station
Unit Training (OSUT) require 60 points per event.
Army Standard
All other Army personnel (active and reserve) who are non-IET
soldiers must attain the minimum Army standard of at least
60 points per event. To get credit for a record APFT, a mediccally
profiled soldier must, as a minimum,
complete the 2-mile run or one of the alternate aerobic events.
Properly interpreted, performance on the APFT shows the following:
- Each soldier’s level of physical fitness.
- The entire unit’s level of physical fitness.
- Deficiencies in physical fitness.
- Soldiers who need special attention.
