A COMPARISON OF THE US AIR FORCE FITNESS TEST AND Sister Services' combat-oriented fitness tests

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA496773&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf

A COMPARISON OF THE US AIR FORCE FITNESS TEST AND
SISTER SERVICES’ COMBAT-ORIENTED FITNESS TESTS
THESIS

Thomas E. Worden, BS
Captain, USAF
March 2009


Abstract
This research explores how the United States Air Force Physical Fitness Test
(AFPFT) events compare to sister-services’ physical fitness test events with respect to their predictability of combat capability. Multiple regression tools, non-parametric analyses, and chi2 contingency table hypothesis testing were utilized to test hypotheses about performances and determine associations between involved variables. AFPFT scores had minimal predictability (adj R2 0.2045) [but improved when
raw data replaced scoring sheets, pushups have no maximum, and abdominal circumference and age are removed (adj R2 0.7703)]. Higher Body Mass Index (BMI)
predicts higher combat capability (p-value 0.0208). The best two-event model
incorporated a 1/2-mile run and 30-lb. dumbbell lifts (adj R2 0.8514), and the best threeevent model also incorporates pushups with no maximum (adj R2 0.8819).
Completion of the fireman’s carry has a dependency on both BMI >25 (p-value
0.00152) or a waist >32.5” (p-value 0.00521). Improvement in peer stratifications from the AFPFT to combat capability has a dependency on BMI >25 (p-value 3.19E-7), even with abdominal circumference excluded from the scoring (p-value 0.00586). Women
were found to have lower combat capability than men (p-value 0.0003). Those who
could not pass the fireman’s carry were found to have lower combat capability (p-value 0.0002).