Barreldriver
06-08-2011, 01:28 AM
Posting this here since it's military related but it's also physical fitness related so I'll post it here for now and if the mods want to relocate the thread feel free.
I know we've got some members here who have previously served, dunno if any are currently serving or how many are preparing to serve, figured I would post this and start a discussion as to whether or not the change is good/bad.
Seen some articles floating around about the US Army turning away from the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) which consists of 2 minutes timed situps and pushups and a two mile run to something called the ACRT (Army Combat Readiness Test):
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/03/army-first-look-at-new-pt-030411w/
It kicks off with a 400-meter run with a weapon. This enters into an obstacle course with low hurdles, high crawls and over-under obstacles to test individual movement techniques.
Soldiers then do a 40-yard casualty drag followed by a 40-yard run with ammo cans atop a balance beam.
Next come point, aim and move drills, followed by a 100-yard ammo can shuttle sprint.
The CRT wraps up with a 100-yard agility sprint.
The CRT is a balanced assessment of the Physical Readiness Training program, Hertling told Casey in his briefing.
The PRT incorporates sprinting, climbing drills and other high-intensity exercises that mimic the challenges soldiers face in combat.
Another article on the matter: http://calorielab.com/news/2011/03/02/army-combat-readiness-test/
The new Army “combat readiness” test moves beyond the traditional two-mile run, sit-up and push-up challenge to emphasize combat-specific fitness. Soldiers will run 400 meters with a rifle, navigate an obstacle course in full “battle rattle,” or combat gear; aim a rifle while crawling and jumping over obstacles, carry 40-pound ammunition boxes while running on a balance beam, complete an agility sprint on a cone-filled course, and drag a sandbag-filled sled to simulate rescuing a comrade from the battlefield, according to Fox News.
All soldiers and officers will undergo the Army combat readiness test annually; soldiers may have to also take the test before deployments. The new Army physical fitness tests are currently being tested at seven military installations, including Fort Sill, Fort Bragg, Fort Benning and Fort Leonard Wood, and should expand to all bases by August 2011.
I heard that this test was being done to prevent strain injuries that are had from doing traditional situps and pushups. I find the change a bit unsettling since I've been training to qualify for the former APFT so now a whole two months have been wasted training for an outdated test.
One thing I did find comforting is the switch to emphasis on shorter range burst running, something that I've trained with all my post-puberty life in football, track and field, jujutsu and such. Better at shuttle type running than I am at long distance running.
Video: NRSuMoy0-tM
I know we've got some members here who have previously served, dunno if any are currently serving or how many are preparing to serve, figured I would post this and start a discussion as to whether or not the change is good/bad.
Seen some articles floating around about the US Army turning away from the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) which consists of 2 minutes timed situps and pushups and a two mile run to something called the ACRT (Army Combat Readiness Test):
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/03/army-first-look-at-new-pt-030411w/
It kicks off with a 400-meter run with a weapon. This enters into an obstacle course with low hurdles, high crawls and over-under obstacles to test individual movement techniques.
Soldiers then do a 40-yard casualty drag followed by a 40-yard run with ammo cans atop a balance beam.
Next come point, aim and move drills, followed by a 100-yard ammo can shuttle sprint.
The CRT wraps up with a 100-yard agility sprint.
The CRT is a balanced assessment of the Physical Readiness Training program, Hertling told Casey in his briefing.
The PRT incorporates sprinting, climbing drills and other high-intensity exercises that mimic the challenges soldiers face in combat.
Another article on the matter: http://calorielab.com/news/2011/03/02/army-combat-readiness-test/
The new Army “combat readiness” test moves beyond the traditional two-mile run, sit-up and push-up challenge to emphasize combat-specific fitness. Soldiers will run 400 meters with a rifle, navigate an obstacle course in full “battle rattle,” or combat gear; aim a rifle while crawling and jumping over obstacles, carry 40-pound ammunition boxes while running on a balance beam, complete an agility sprint on a cone-filled course, and drag a sandbag-filled sled to simulate rescuing a comrade from the battlefield, according to Fox News.
All soldiers and officers will undergo the Army combat readiness test annually; soldiers may have to also take the test before deployments. The new Army physical fitness tests are currently being tested at seven military installations, including Fort Sill, Fort Bragg, Fort Benning and Fort Leonard Wood, and should expand to all bases by August 2011.
I heard that this test was being done to prevent strain injuries that are had from doing traditional situps and pushups. I find the change a bit unsettling since I've been training to qualify for the former APFT so now a whole two months have been wasted training for an outdated test.
One thing I did find comforting is the switch to emphasis on shorter range burst running, something that I've trained with all my post-puberty life in football, track and field, jujutsu and such. Better at shuttle type running than I am at long distance running.
Video: NRSuMoy0-tM