Army Physical Fitness Test - Two-Mile Run


This event tests cardiorespiratory (aerobic) endurance and the endurance of the leg muscles.

Equipment
Two stopwatches for the event supervisor, one clipboard and pen for each scorer, copies of the event’s instructions and standards, and numbers for the testees are needed.

Facilities
There must be a level area with no more than a three-degree slope on which a measured course has been marked. An oval-shaped track of known length may be used. If a road course is used, the start and finish and one-mile (half way) point must be clearly marked.

Personnel
One event supervisor and at least one scorer for every 15 runners are required.

Instructions
The event supervisor must read the following: “THE TWO-MILE RUN IS USED TO ASSESS YOUR AEROBIC FITNESS AND YOUR LEG MUSCLES’ ENDURANCE. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE RUN WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL HELP. AT THE START, ALL SOLDIERS WILL LINE UP BEHIND THE STARTING LINE. ON THE COMMAND ‘GO,’ THE CLOCK WILL START. YOU WILL BEGIN RUNNING AT YOUR OWN PACE. TO RUN THE REQUIRED TWO MILES, YOU MUST
COMPLETE (describe the number of laps, start and finish points, and course layout). YOU ARE BEING TESTED ON YOUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE THE 2-MILE COURSE IN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE. ALTHOUGH WALKING IS AUTHORIZED, IT IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. IF YOU ARE PHYSICALLY HELPED IN ANY WAY (FOR EXAMPLE, PULLED, PUSHED, PICKED UP, AND/OR CARRIED) OR LEAVE THE DESIGNATED RUNNING COURSE FOR ANY REASON, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. (IT IS LEGAL TO PACE A SOLDIER DURING THE 2-MILE RUN. AS LONG AS THERE IS NO PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE PACED SOLDIER AND IT DOES NOT PHYSICALLY HINDER OTHER SOLDIERS TAKING THE TEST, THE PRACTICE OF RUNNING AHEAD OF, ALONG SIDE OF, OR BEHIND THE TESTED SOLDIER, WHILE SERVING AS A PACER, IS PERMITTED. CHEERING OR CALLING OUT THE ELAPSED TIME IS ALSO PERMITTED.) THE NUMBER ON YOUR CHEST IS FOR IDENTIFICATION. YOU MUST MAKE SURE IT IS VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES. TURN IN YOUR NUMBER WHEN YOU FINISH THE RUN. THEN, GO TO THE AREA DESIGNATED FOR THE COOL-DOWN AND STRETCH. DO NOT STAY NEAR THE SCORERS OR THE FINISH LINE AS THIS MAY INTERFERE WITH THE TESTING. WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS ON THIS EVENT?”

Administration
After reading the instructions, the supervisor answers questions. He then organizes the soldiers into groups of no more than 10. The scorer for each group assigns a number to each soldier in the group. At the same time, the scorer collects the scorecards and records each soldier’s number.

Timing Techniques
The event supervisor is the timer. He uses the commands “Get set” and “Go.” Two stopwatches are used in case one fails. As the soldiers near the finish line, the event supervisor calls off the time in minutes and seconds (for example, “Fifteen-thirty, fifteen-thirty- one, fifteen-thirty -two,” and so on).

Scorers' Duties
The scorers observe those runners in their groups, monitor their laps (if appropriate), and record their times as they cross the finish line. (It is often
helpful to record the soldiers’ numbers and times on a separate sheet of paper or card. This simplifies the recording of finish times when large groups of
soldiers are simultaneously tested.) After all runners have completed the run, the scorers determine the point value for each soldier’s run time, record the point values on the scorecards, and enter their initials in the scorers’ blocks. In all cases, when a time falls between two point values, the lower point value is used and recorded. For example, if a female soldier, age 17 to 21, runs the two miles in 15 minutes and 19 seconds, the score awarded is 95 points.
At this time, the scorers for the 2- mile run also convert the raw scores for the push-up and sit-up events by using the scoring standards on the back side
of the scorecard. They enter those point values on the scorecards and determine the total APFT score for each soldier before giving the scorecards to the test’s OIC or NCOIC. After the test scores have been checked, the test’s OIC or NCOIC signs all scorecards and returns them to the unit’s commander or designated representative.

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.
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. (Leaders must develop special programs to improve the performance of soldiers who are below the required
standards.)
Commanders should not try to determine the individual’s or the unit’s strengths and weaknesses in fitness by using only the total scores. A detailed study of the results on each event is more important. For a proper analysis of the unit’s performance, event scores should be used. They are corrected for age and sex. Therefore, a female’s 80-point push-up score should be considered the same as a male’s 80-point push-up score. Using the total point value or raw scores may distort the interpretation.

Scores Above Maximum
Even though some soldiers exceed the maximum score on one or more APFT events, the official, maximum score on the APFT must remain at 300 (100 points per event). Some commanders, however, want to know unofficial point scores to reward soldiers for their extra effort.
Only those soldiers who score 100 points in all three events are eligible to determine their score on an extended scale. To fairly determine the points earned, extra points are awarded at the same rate as points obtained for scores at or below the 100 point level. Each push-up and sit-up beyond the maximum is worth one point as is every six-second decrease in the run time. A male soldier performs above the maximum in the 17-21 age group by doing 87 push-ups and 98 sit-ups and by running the two miles in 11 minutes and 12 seconds. His score would be calculated as follows:

The calculations on the previous page, give the soldier a total score of 318 points. This method lets the commander easily determine the scores for performances that are above the maximum. He may recognize soldiers for their outstanding fitness achievements, not only on the APFT but also for other, unofficial fitness challenges. Using this method ensures that each soldier has an equal chance to be recognized for any of the tested fitness components. Commanders may also establish their own incentive programs and set their own unit’s standards (AR 350-15).

Temporary Profiles
A soldier with a temporary profile must take the regular three-event APFT after the profile has expired. (Soldiers with temporary profiles of more than three months may take an alternate test as determined by the commander with input from health-care personnel.) Once the profile is lifted, the soldier
must be given twice the time of the profile (but not more than 90 days) to train for the APFT. For example, if the profile period was 7 days, the soldier has 14 days to train for the APFT after the profile period ends. If a normally scheduled APFT occurs during the profile period, the soldier should be given a mandatory make-up date.

Permanent Profiles
A permanently profiled soldier is given a physical training program by the profiling officer using the positive profile form DA 3349 (see Appendix B). The profiling officer gives the unit’s commander a list of physical activities that are suitable for the profiled soldier. He also indicates the events and/or alternate aerobic event that the soldier will do on the APFT. This recommendation, made after consultation with the profiled soldier, should address the soldier’s abilities and preference and the equipment available. (See DA Form 3349, Physical Profile, referenced in AR 40-501.)
The profiled soldier must perform all the regular APFT events his medical profile permits. Each soldier must earn at least 60 points on the regular events to receive a “go.” He must also complete the alternate event in a time equal to or less than the one listed for his age group. For example, a soldier whose profile forbids only running will do the push-up and sit-up events and an alternate aerobic event. He must get at least a minimum passing score on each event to earn a “go” for the test. A soldier whose profile prevents two or more APFT events must complete the 2-mile run or an alternate aerobic event to earn a “go” on the test. Soldiers who cannot do any of the aerobic events due to a profile cannot be tested. Such information will be recorded in their official military record.
Scoring for all alternate events is on a go/no go basis. Soldiers who do push-up and sit-up events but who take an alternate aerobic event are not awarded promotion points for APFT performance.

Alternate Events
Alternate APFT events assess the aerobic fitness and muscular endurance of soldiers with permanent medical profiles or long-term (greater than three months) temporary profiles who cannot take the regular, three-event APFT.
The alternate aerobic APFT events are the following:
• 800-yard-swim test.
• 6.2-mile-stationary-bicycle ergometer test with a resistance setting of 2 kilopounds (2 kilograms) or 20 newtons.
• 6.2-mile-bicycle test on a conventional bicycle using one speed.
• 2.5-mile-walk test.