The new Air Force fitness test: a field trial assessing effectiveness and safety |
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Authors: | J R Sharp |
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Affiliation: | Clinical Consultants Division, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General, Brooks AFB, TX 78235. |
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Abstract: | Two thousand one hundred thirty-nine Air Force members were stratified in risk categories based on a questionnaire about their exercise habits and risk factors which could preclude participation in the new Air Force fitness test. Those at risk were interviewed by a practitioner and placed in a supervised fitness program or exempted from testing. All others were tested by the 1.5-mile field run. Based on these data it is estimated that 40% of the Air Force was exercising regularly and only 50% would pass the old category III standards, with 33% passing the new category IV standard. Thirteen percent of the Air Force would be in the highest risk category, but after a practitioner interview alone, only 7.9% would be exempted from testing altogether, almost all for known or suspected cardiac conditions. This screening and interviewing process is not a significant additional workload on Medical Treatment Facilities and may enhance the safety of the new Air Force fitness program. |
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