Over-Forty Cardiovascular Screening Program

1 All soldiers in the Active Army, and the unit's physical performance Army National Guard, and Army levels. Reserve must take the Army Physical Inspection. This evaluates training Fitness Test (APFT) regardless of their procedures and indicates the sound age. The APFT is a three-event ness of the unit's physical fitness physical performance test used to as- Program . sess muscular endurance and cardi- Observation. This is an ongoing orespiratory (CR) fitness. It is a simple way to review training but is not as way to measure a soldier's ability to ef- reliable as testing as an indicator of The APFT is a three- fectively move his body by using his the unit's level of fitness. event physical major muscle groups and CR system. Medical examination. This detects performance test used to Performance on the APFT is strongly individual disabilities, health-re- assess muscular linked to the soldier's fitness level and related problems, and physical prob- endurance and his ability to do fitness-related tasks.

2 Lems. cardiorespiratory An APFT with alternate test events is (CR) fitness . given to soldiers with permanent pro- Over-Forty Cardiovascular files and with temporary profiles greater Screening Program than three months' duration. While the APFT testing is an impor- The Army's over -40 Cardiovascular tant tool in determining the physical Screening Program (CVSP) does the readiness of individual soldiers and following: units, it should not be the sole basis for Identifies soldiers with a risk of the unit's physical fitness training. coronary heart disease. Commanders at every level must en- Provides guidelines for safe, regu- sure that fitness training is designed to lar CR exercise. develop physical abilities in a balanced Gives advice and help in control- way, not just to help soldiers do well on ling heart-disease risk factors. the APFT. Uses treadmill testing only for high- Commanders should use their unit's risk soldiers who need it.

3 - APFT results to evaluate its physical All soldiers, both active and reserve fitness level. APFT results may indi- component, must take the APFT for cate a need to modify the fitness record regardless of age unless prohib- programs to attain higher fitness levels. ited by a medical profile. For soldiers Performance on the However, mission-essential tasks, not APFT is strongly linked who reached age 40 on or after 1. the APFT, should drive physical train- January 1989, there is no requirement to the soldier's fitness ing. level and his ability to for clearance in the Cardiovascular Additional physical performance tests Screening Program before taking a do fitness-related tasks. and standards which serve as prerequi- record APFT. Soldiers who reached sites for Airborne/Ranger/Special age 40 before 1 January 1989 must be Forces/SCUBA qualification are pro- cleared through the Cardiovascular vided in DA Pam 351-4.

4 Screening Program before taking a record APFT. Prior to their CVSP. Methods of Evaluation evaluation, however, they may still take part in physical training to in- Commanders are responsible for clude diagnostic APFTs unless pro- ensuring that their soldiers are physi- filed or contraindications to exercise cally fit (AR 350- 15). There are exist. All soldiers must undergo peri- several ways they can assess fitness odic physical examinations in accor- including the following dance with AR 40-501 and NGR 40- Testing. This is an efficient way 501. These include Screening for to evaluate both the individual's Cardiovascular risk factors. 14-1. Overview fitness and to be fair to all soldiers. (Test results are used for personnel As stated, APFT events assess mus- actions.). cular endurance and CR fitness. The Individual soldiers are not author- lowest passing APFT standards reflect ized to administer the APFT to them- the minimum acceptable fitness level selves for the purpose of satisfying a for all soldiers, regardless of MOS or unit's diagnostic or record APFT re- component.

5 When applied to a com - quirement. mand, APFT results show a unit's overall level of physical fitness. How- REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. ever, they are not all-inclusive, overall measures of physical-combat readi- The OIC or NCOIC at the test site ness. To assess this, other physical must have a copy of FM 21-20 on capabilities must be measured. The hand. The supervisor of each event APFT does, however, give a com- must have the event instructions and mander a sound measurement of the standards. Scorers should have a general fitness level of his unit. clipboard and an ink pen to record the Service schools, agencies, and units results on the soldiers' scorecards. may set performance goals which are Two stopwatches are needed. They above the minimum APFT standards in must be able to measure time in both accordance with their missions (AR minutes and seconds. 350- 15). Individual soldiers are also Runners must wear numbers or encouraged to set for themselves a some other form of identification for series of successively higher APFT the 2-mile run.

6 The numbers may be performance goals. They should al- stenciled or pinned onto pullover vests ways strive to improve themselves or sleeveless, mesh pullovers or at- physically and never be content with tached to the runners themselves. meeting minimum standards. Compe- Soldiers should wear clothing that is tition on the APFT among soldiers or appropriate for PT such as shorts, T- units can also be used to motivate them shirts, socks, and running shoes (not to improve their fitness levels. tennis shoes). They should not wear Testing is not a substitute for a basketball shoes or other types of court regular, balanced exercise Program . shoes. BDUs may be worn but may be Diagnostic testing is important in moni- a hindrance on some events. toring training progress but, when Anything that gives a soldier an done too often, may decrease motiva- unfair advantage is not permitted during tion and waste training time.

7 The APFT. Wearing devices such as The test period is defined as t h e weight belts or elastic bandages may or period of time which elapses from may not provide an advantage. How- starting to finishing the three events. It ever, for standardization, such addi- must not take more than two hours. tional equipment is not authorized Soldiers must do all three events in the unless prescribed by medical person- same test period. nel. The only exception is gloves. They may be worn in cold weather when approved by the local com- Test Administration mander. Each soldier needs a DA Form 705, The APFT must be administered Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard. properly and to standard in order to The soldier fills in his name, social accurately evaluate a soldier's physical security number, grade, age, and sex. 14-2. (See Figure 14- 1.) The unit will com- pertinent information in the comment plete the height and weight data.

8 Block. After the entire APFT has been Scorers record the raw score for completed, the event scorer will con- each event and initial the results. If vert raw scores to point scores using a soldier fails an event or finds it the scoring standards on the back of difficult to perform, the scorer should the scorecards. (See Figure 14- 1.). write down the reasons and other Figure 14-1. 14-3. Figure 14-1 (continued). 14-4. Figure 14-1 (continued). 14-5. Figure 14-1 (continued). 14-6. Figure 14-1 (continued). 14-7. SUPERVISION 15 scorers are required when a com- pany-sized unit is tested. The APFT must be properly super- vised to ensure that its objectives are OIC OR NCOIC. met. Proper supervision ensures uni- formity in the following: The OIC or NCOIC does the follow- Scoring the test. ing: Training of supervisors and scorers. Administers the APFT. The goal of the APFT.

9 Preparing the test and controlling Procures all necessary equipment is to get an accurate performance factors. and supplies. evaluation of the The goal of the APFT is to get an Arranges and lays out the test area. soldier's fitness levels. accurate evaluation of the soldiers' Trains the event supervisors, scor- fitness levels. Preparations for ad- ers, and demonstrators. ministering an accurate APFT include (Training video tape No. 21-191. the following: should be used for training those Selecting and training supervisors who administer the APFT.). and scorers.. Ensures the test is properly admini- Briefing and orienting administra- stered and the events are explained, tors and participants. demonstrated, and scored accord- Securing a location for the events. ing to the test standards in this Commanders must strictly control chapter. those factors which influence test Reports the results after the test.

10 Performance. They must ensure that events, scoring, clothing, and equip- EVENT SUPERVISORS. ment are uniform. Commanders should plan testing which permits each soldier Event supervisors do the following: to perform to his maximal level. They Administer the test events. should also ensure the following: Ensure that necessary equipment is Soldiers are not tested when fa- on hand. tigued or ill. Read the test instructions, and have Soldiers do not have tiring duties the events demonstrated. just before taking the APFT. Supervise the scoring of events, and Weather and environmental condi- ensure that they are done correctly. tions do not inhibit performance. Rule on questions and scoring dis- safety is the first consideration. crepancies for their event. SCORERS. Duties of Test Personnel Scorers do the following: . Testers must be totally familiar Supervise the performance of testees.