Initial Screening Test during Week 1

[88may]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could provide a little more insight on the initial fitness test during the first week. I'm really worried about the rushes portion since I assumed we were going to do the Force test and prepared for the wrong time. I'm having trouble getting my time down to 45 seconds (but i'm still practicing!). I've asked around and many people have brushed off my concerns and told me that only very unfit people fail or that the adrenaline/stress makes people push through. I just wanted to know–do a lot of cadets fail? (I had a friend tell me that 10-30% of the platoon ends up in TRP) is it as daunting as I'm making it out to be? or am I overthinking? I'm not a big cardio person so I'm very scared right now.

 

[Winds]

I'm pretty sure it is simply the FORCE Test. Plenty of servings members are rather out of shape but manage to pass the test every year... it's not a particularly high standard. Generally, people who are significantly overweight have issues with the rushes and those who are very small in stature/petite sometimes have difficulty with the drag.

 

[sarahsmom]

I'm pretty sure it is simply the FORCE Test. Plenty of servings members are rather out of shape but manage to pass the test every year... it's not a particularly high standard. Generally, people who are significantly overweight have issues with the rushes and those who are very small in stature/petite sometimes have difficulty with the drag.

No, week 1 has a different fitness test and the rushes have a faster time.

 

[Winds]

No, week 1 has a different fitness test and the rushes have a faster time.

You're right, I just looked up the joining instructions for CFLRS and there is a separate "initial screening test" consisting of 3 tasks: 20m rushes in 46 seconds or less (FORCE Test standard is 51 seconds or less); sandbag drag in 35 seconds or less (FORCE Test has no max time limit, just no stopping); and walking 1.6km in 15 mins or less.

I'm not sure why they instituted a higher standard for the rushes, perhaps due to increased incidence of injury amongst candidates who took more than 46 seconds to complete the test.

For the OP, try not to worry too much, just keep training. When practicing, work on form a bit to make your movements more efficient. For example, don't stand straight up (or fully) but start moving forward instead (like a sprinter taking off from a block). You just need to get a couple steps from one line to the other (and just need to reach one foot over the line), no requirement to stand up straight before moving forward. Also, I've always slightly wetted the bottom of my shoes with water (wipe off) shortly before the test to get more traction on the gym floor/avoid slipping.

Good luck.

 

[88may]

Perfect! Thank you for your help and advice!
I'm just a little worried bc I am a little overweight and struggle with agility. I've been lifting for 2-3 years but only running for a year so my cardio isn't where I want it to be. I received outdated joining instructions and didn't even find out about the screening test time limits until a few days ago.
I think I just became super anxious after finding out lol–I'm just doing to keep practice as you said!

 

[CmB46]

I too have been struggling with the 20m rushes. I cannot bet below the 51 second mark. I’ve been practicing for 3-4 months. I’m in relatively decent shape ( lost 82lbs) and continue to work on my strength and endurance. I am female with a larger chest. the running isn’t the issue it is the getting up back into running.

What I have been doing is burpees, squats, push ups which aren’t great but better than when I started, and I spend 5 days a week strength training… I also marked off an area with cones for practice like set up for the dashes. I usually get someone to do my times with a stop watch and encouragement to move faster.

Just keep working on it.

 

[PuckChaser]

Rushes is all explosive power. You need to throw yourself at the ground and explode up with the push up and jump to your feet. Just throwing yourself at the ground will cut down your time significantly.