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Canadian Forces physical fitness standards

Nfld Sapper

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Backgrounder
Canadian Forces physical fitness standards
BG - 09.003 - January 13, 2009


Strength and endurance could mean the difference between success and failure in a military operation. For this reason, Canadian Forces (CF) personnel must be more physically fit than the general Canadian population. Employment in the CF is governed by the universality of service principles, which have a legal basis in the National Defence Act. In accordance with these principles, CF personnel must maintain their physical fitness, just as they must be able to satisfy a range of other requirements, from writing military correspondence to fighting fires.

All CF personnel are required, therefore, to undergo an annual physical fitness evaluation, known as the CF EXPRES test, where they must meet a minimum physical fitness standard (MPFS). The minimum standard is different for men and women, and it differs for various age groups, as it has been determined that universal tests would not be scientifically valid. The various standards are based on the premise that both men and women, of various ages, would be able to complete five common military emergency tasks – from evacuation of a casualty at sea, to digging a trench – within a predetermined acceptable timeframe.

The Minimum Physical Fitness Standards (MPFS)

Unless given an exemption, members of the Regular Force and Primary Reserve are required to meet the MPFS every year to ensure that they are capable of performing basic military duties. Members of the Reserve sub-components (Canadian Rangers, Cadet Instructor Cadre or CIC and Supplementary Reserve) are required to meet the MPFS on an annual basis if attached to the Regular Force or Primary Reserve.

The majority (96%) of CF Regular Force personnel who undergo the CF EXPRES test pass the evaluation. Those who fail and those who do not complete the evaluation are considered non-deployable and may face career restrictions.

To ensure that CF physical fitness standards and programs maintain their relevance, the MPFS is evaluated on a regular basis with a focus on its scientific validity and its correspondence to common military tasks, gender and age. Recommendations for changes are implemented as required.

The Army has developed its own variation of the MPFS to reflect the physically demanding tasks typical of its operating environment. Furthermore, some CF occupations, including firefighters, Search and Rescue technicians, parachutists, divers and members of Joint Task Force 2, have developed and implemented trade-specific physical fitness standards. These different standards are more physically demanding than the MPFS, and do not distinguish between men and women.

The CF EXPRES Test

There are five common military emergency tasks that form the basis of the CF’s physical fitness evaluation:

entrenchment dig (digging a personal trench to protect oneself against enemy fire)
land evacuation (carrying one end of a stretcher bearing a casualty)
low/high crawl1 (moving in a defensive way in front of enemy fire)
sea evacuation (evacuating a casualty from a ship during a fire or other emergency)
sandbag carry (in the course of erecting a barricade against a flood or other natural event). 
Given the logistics of using the five common tasks as an annual evaluation for all CF personnel, the CF EXPRES test predicts a CF member’s ability to complete them through the evaluation of the following:

aerobic capacity – a 20-metre shuttle run (running back and forth between two points), with a step test as an alternative
muscular strength – a handgrip test
abdominal muscular endurance – sit-ups
upper-body muscular endurance – push-ups

TABLE A2
Minimum Physical Fitness Standards
CF EXPRES test component                 Male                                                     Female
                          Age 34 and under 35 and over Age 34 and under 35 and over
20-Metre Shuttle Run stage 6               stage 5              stage 4                           stage 3
Alternative Step Test 39                      35                     32                            30
Handgrip             75                 73                   50                           48
Push-ups             19                 14                        9                             7
Sit-ups                         19                 17                        15                           12



To promote a superior level of physical fitness, the CF EXPRES program also offers an “incentive standard,” or a more challenging version of the same evaluation. CF personnel who meet the MPFS for all components of the CF EXPRES test and also attain the incentive standard earn an exemption from evaluation for one assessment period. (In other words, they can skip the test the following year.)

TABLE B
Incentive Standards
Incentive component   Male                                                                           Female
                          Age 17-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59         Age 17-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59
20-Metre Shuttle Run 10       10.5 8 7 5.5                                       6 5.5        5.0 4.0 3.5
Alternative Step Test 57               48 45 39 35                                   39 37 33 31 30
Combined Handgrip, 169               174 162 149 132                                       112 107 99 90 75
Push-ups, Sit-ups


A note on physical fitness and pregnancy

As recognized by the medical profession, women who are pregnant should modify their type and level of physical activities. Therefore, pregnant CF personnel are subject to some duty limitations, including exemption from all evaluations. They are authorized to participate in physical training at their own pace. Depending on individual circumstances, personnel may re-enter the CF EXPRES program routine of annual evaluations as soon as 18 weeks after delivery. The “Guide to Fitness During and After Pregnancy in the CF” has been created to oversee the safe return of new mothers to fitness levels that will ensure operational readiness.

Looking forward

With a mandate to maintain morale and promote physical fitness within the CF community, the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS) Personnel Support Programs (PSP) directorate manages fitness programs and evaluations to ensure that military personnel maintain peak physical conditioning. The current focus is on maintaining long-term health and fitness, rather than merely passing a test or meeting a standard. While the CF will continue to use consistent, measurable and scientifically validated physical fitness standards appropriate to ensure that operational requirements are met by individuals, occupations, units and Environments, there is a renewed emphasis on strengthening an overall culture of good health.


1. A "low crawl" is on one's belly, a "high crawl" on hands and knees.

2 Notes on Table A
In the shuttle run, test subjects must travel 20 metres before the “stage” is called by an audio recording, with stages growing progressively faster.
The step test is an alternative to the shuttle run for test subjects having medical limitations. The test subject steps up and then down using an aerobic “step,” for three minutes.
Handgrip score is on both hands, with the score measured on a handgrip dynamometer.
Push-ups are a continuous test, with no stopping permitted.
Sit-ups are a one-minute test, with stopping permitted.




 
NFLD Sapper:  you realize that you've just opened up another thread that will soon spiral into oblivion as do all others related to fitrness standards in the CF.
 
Yeah kinda figured that Haggis but just putting out the "Official" statement.

MODS maybe this is one topic that should get a lock before it spirals out?
 
Am I missing something in Table B, or are there numbers missing for push ups and sit ups?
 
HeadLamp said:
Am I missing something in Table B, or are there numbers missing for push ups and sit ups?

No they are shown as a combined total score.
 
On a somewhat related note, I was briefed last night that the 'Navy-specific' fitness test is scheduled to be announced in 2010.  No idea on specific requirements or an actual implementation date.
 
Ahh it's combined with the hand grip, got it. Was sort of confusing because they were on different lines. Thanks for clearing that up.
 
HeadLamp said:
Ahh it's combined with the hand grip, got it. Was sort of confusing because they were on different lines. Thanks for clearing that up.

If you click on the blue coloured text it will take you to the original source document, the table is easier to read there.
 
MARS said:
On a somewhat related note, I was briefed last night that the 'Navy-specific' fitness test is scheduled to be announced in 2010.  No idea on specific requirements or an actual implementation date.

Curious to see what the "Navy-specific" entails. Keep us informed.
 
NFLD Sapper said:
Curious to see what the "Navy-specific" entails. Keep us informed.

Last fall this was dicused at a joint NCMPD working group I attended.  It would appear that both the Air Force and Navy are following the Army's lead in developing "environmental" fitness standards which are higher than the MFPS.  Everyone should remember that the "M" in MFPS stands for "minimum".  If applied in the same way as the Army, sailors and Air Force personnel would be required to meet the environmental standard.  If they fail to do so then the MFPS would be applied.  if they fail that, then the provisions of DAOD 5023-2 will kick in.
 
Haggis said:
Last fall this was dicused at a joint NCMPD working group I attended.  It would appear that both the Air Force and Navy are following the Army's lead in developing "environmental" fitness standards which are higher than the MFPS.  Everyone should remember that the "M" in MFPS stands for "minimum".  If applied in the same way as the Army, sailors and Air Force personnel would be required to meet the environmental standard.  If they fail to do so then the MFPS would be applied.  if they fail that, then the provisions of DAOD 5023-2 will kick in.

The last CANAIRGEN on the subject announced that the AF program is to begin in 2010.
 
Am I missing something, or is the MPFS exactly the same as before?
 
.... and there is a canforgen that came out in december that imposes a physical fitness standard to the 55 & over crowd.

Once I get my knee back into shape, shouldn't be a problem... till then - it's gonna have to wait a little while
 
recceguy said:
Just skip all the crap and do a BFT.

Oh, oh :o here it gooooooessss ::)

Thats what i tell my CO every single year.

But then again, how many people on this site ( i remember this disussion happen several times) think thet the BFT is inadequate ?

Yeah, that what i thought, nice try RG.
 
Thanks, recceguy and CDN Aviator!

Anyone else wanna give this thread another nudge towards the abyss?

Anyone?

Bueller?????
 
... But then again, how many people on this site ( i remember this disussion happen several times) think thet the BFT is inadequate ? ...

- We should maybe do TWO BFTs, on consecutive days, just to prove Day 1 wasn't a fluke!

8)

- Okay, now you can lock it!
 
nana.gif
 
CANFORGEN 220/08 CMP 093/08 011839Z DEC 08
PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTING FOR CF PERS AGED 56-60
UNCLASSIFIED


REFS: A. CANFORGEN 087/06
B. DAOD 5023-2, PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM

SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2006 THE CF HAS BEEN STUDYING TO SEE IF THE CREATION OF VALIDATED STANDARDS AS OUTLINED IN REF A WOULD BE FEASIBLE AND JUSTIFIED. AS A RESULT OF THIS EXAMINATION, AND DUE TO CHANGES IN SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL EXERCISE GUIDELINES SINCE MPFS WAS INTRODUCED, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE EXISTING EXPRES TEST OVER 35 STANDARD COULD BE APPLICABLE TO INCLUDE ALL PERS OVER 56

TO THAT END EFFECTIVE 1 APRIL 2009, ALL CF MEMBERS IN THE 56 TO 60 AGE GROUP WILL REMAIN SUBJECT TO ANNUAL PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTING AS WAS PREVIOUSLY DIRECTED. HOWEVER THE PREVIOUS DIRECTION THAT QUOTE NO CAREER ADMIN ACTION UNQUOTE WOULD BE TAKEN WILL BE CANCELLED. PERSONNEL IN THE AFFECTED GROUP WILL NOW BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE ADMIN ACTION IN CASES WHERE THEY FAIL OR ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE A REQUIRED FITNESS TEST. AFFECTED PERSONNEL HAVE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT NOTICE TO PREPARE FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTING

THIS CHANGE WHICH REQUIRES ALL CF PERSONNEL REGARDLESS OF AGE TO UNDERTAKE AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST SERVES TO STRENGTHEN THE CF S COMMITMENT TO PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH AS DETAILED IN THE CF HEALTH AND FITNESS STRATEGY

QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PHYSICAL FITNESS POLICY MAY BE DIRECTED TO DMP POL 3 AT 613-996-8783, WHILE QUESTIONS CONCERNING TESTING PROTOCOLS MAY BE DIRECTED TO PSP SENIOR MANAGER FITNESS AT 613-992-0228

SIGNED BY MGEN W. SEMIANIW, CMP
 
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