Airman executing a push-up as part of the United States Air Force Fitness Test

The United States Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) is designed to test the body composition, muscular strength/endurance, and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of airmen in the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...

. As part of the ''Fit to Fight'' program, the Air Force adopted a more stringent

physical fitness Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of Outline of sports, sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate ...

assessment in 2004 and replaced the annual ergo-cycle (stationary bike) test that the Air Force had used for several years. Results are stored in the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS) and accessible via the AF Portal.

Test

Some reports state that participation at USAF fitness centers is up 30 percent since the new program was established. In the Air Force, Airmen are given a score based on performance consisting of four components: waist circumference, situps, pushups, and a 1.5-mile run. Airmen can potentially earn a score of 100; a passing score is anything over 75 points. Members must complete all components unless medically exempted. If medically exempted from any component, the total score is calculated as follows: ''Total Component Points Achieved X 100 divided by total possible points''. Maximum component points as of 1 May 2022 are: * Aerobic—60 *

Push-up The push-up (sometimes called a press-up in British English) is a common calisthenics exercise beginning from the prone position. By raising and lowering the body using the arms, push-ups exercise the pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterio ...

s—20 *

Crunches The crunch is an abdominal exercise that works the rectus abdominis muscle. It enables both building "six-pack" abs and tightening the belly. Crunches use the exerciser's own body weight to tone muscle and are recommended by some experts, despite ...

—20 Airmen who are medically recommended not to run may be cleared to participate in an alternative aerobic fitness assessment. Choice of the alternative test rests with the unit commander, based upon medical guidance.

Ratings

The ratings for the FA are as follows * Excellent: 90 or above * Satisfactory: 75 to 89.9 * Unsatisfactory: below 75 Originally, Airmen who scored below 70 on the FA scored Poor, and those who scored between 70 and 74.9 received a Marginal rating, while Airmen who scored above 75 passed. If an Airman meets all of the minimum repetitions, that is considered a fail due to not having the Satisfactory score of 75. If an Airman fails one component (Example: fails sit-ups) that Airman fails the Fitness Assessment. Airman who score a Satisfactory rating will test again in 6 months. Airman who score an Excellent rating will test again in 12 months. All of this can be referenced in AFI 36-2905. In its current state, a score below 75 is considered Poor, and Airmen are required to re-test within 90 days. Scoring 75 or higher is now considered as meeting standards.

Brief history

Air Force fitness dates back to 1947 when the Air Force was still part of the Army. In his autobiography, 1st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General

Omar Bradley Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893April 8, 1981) was a senior Officer (armed forces), officer of the United States Army during and after World War II, rising to the rank of General of the Army (United States), General of the Army. Bradley ...

, expressed frustration in the deteriorating health of the overall fighting forces and poor physical condition, explaining that troops would not meet the strenuous exertion that combat would introduce. The Air Force originally followed the Army PT standards of the time; however, when it became a separate service in 1947, the Air Force major commands (

MAJCOM This is a list of major commands (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force. A major command is a significant Air Force organization subordinate to Headquarters, US Air Force. Major commands have a headquarters staff and subordinate organizations, ty ...

) implemented PT under their own discretion. It wasn't until 1962 that a regimented PT mandate was put in place service-wide.

References

External links

Air Force Fitness ProgramAir Force Instruction 36-2905
Air Force Fitness Program
Air Force Fitness Test Calculator
{{US Air Force navbox United States Air Force Fitness tests