WHY WAS THE ACFT CREATED

The Need for a New Fitness Test

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) was developed to respond to significant concerns with the Army's former physical fitness test, the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The APFT consisted of three events: a two-mile run, a sit-up test, and a push-up test. This test was criticized for being too easily manipulated and for not adequately assessing the physical fitness skills required for modern combat.

Problems with the APFT

The APFT had several problems that made it an ineffective measure of physical fitness for modern combat. Firstly, the test was too easy to manipulate, making it possible for soldiers to pass without being truly fit. For example, a soldier could perform a few quick sit-ups or push-ups in the last few seconds of the test to pass, even if they were otherwise unfit.

Secondly, the APFT did not adequately assess the physical fitness skills required for modern combat. The test focused on muscular strength and endurance, but it did not assess other important fitness skills such as agility, speed, and power. This meant that soldiers could pass the APFT but still be unfit for combat.

The Development of the ACFT

In response to these problems, the Army developed the ACFT to create a more comprehensive and challenging fitness test that would better assess the physical fitness skills required for modern combat. The ACFT was developed over several years and underwent extensive testing and evaluation before being adopted by the Army.

The ACFT Events

The ACFT consists of six events:

• Three-mile run
  
• Hand-release push-ups
  
• Standing power throw
  
• Leg tuck
  
• Plank
  
• 2-mile run with 35-pound pack
  

These events are designed to assess a wide range of physical fitness skills, including muscular strength and endurance, agility, speed, and power. The test is scored on a 0-100 point scale, with a score of 60 or higher being considered passing.

Benefits of the ACFT

The ACFT has been hailed as a significant improvement over the APFT. The test is more challenging, more comprehensive, and more effective at assessing the physical fitness skills required for modern combat. The ACFT has also been found to be more predictive of soldier performance in combat.

Conclusion

The ACFT was created to address the problems with the APFT and provide a more comprehensive and challenging assessment of soldier fitness. The ACFT is a significant improvement over the APFT and is better able to assess the physical fitness skills required for modern combat.

FAQs

Q1. What are the events in the ACFT?

A1. The ACFT consists of six events: three-mile run, hand-release push-ups, standing power throw, leg tuck, plank, and 2-mile run with 35-pound pack.

Q2. How is the ACFT scored?

A2. The ACFT is scored on a 0-100 point scale, with a score of 60 or higher being considered passing.

Q3. How does the ACFT compare to the APFT?

A3. The ACFT is more challenging, more comprehensive, and more effective at assessing the physical fitness skills required for modern combat than the APFT.

Q4. What are the benefits of the ACFT?

A4. The ACFT is more predictive of soldier performance in combat and helps the Army to identify Soldiers who are physically fit and ready for combat. It also promotes a culture of fitness and readiness within the Army.

Q5. How often is the ACFT administered?

A5. The ACFT is administered twice a year to all Soldiers in the Army.