Soldiers in the Army Reserves must take the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) twice a year. The APFT standards are the same for Army Reservists and active duty Army soldiers. Reservists must successfully pass the APFT to maintain their status as a soldier in the Army Reserves.
Army Physical Fitness Test
The Army Physical Fitness Test consists of three physical fitness events: push-ups, sit-ups and 2-mile run. These events are tested within a given time limit and are scored according to age and sex. The scoring scale is different for males and females, but the fitness events they perform for the test are the same.
Push-Ups
The push-up exercise is the first event of the APFT. Soldiers are given two minutes to successfully complete as many push-ups during this time as they physically can. A correct push-up is performed when a soldier's upper arm is at least parallel to the ground. Additionally, the soldier's body must move as one complete unit when lowered and raised during the push-up exercise. As an example, for a 30-year-old male to receive a maximum score on the push-up portion, he would need to do 77 push-ups in two minutes. A 30-year-old female would need to do 50 to receive a maximum score.
Sit-Ups
The sit-up exercise is the second event performed during the APFT. The sit-up is also tested in a two-minute time window. Soldiers again are asked to do as many sit-ups as they are physically able during this time period. A soldier will perform the sit-up with another soldier holding his feet at the ankles. The soldier must have his hands interlocked behind his head during the duration of the sit-up event. The sit-up is properly executed when the base of the soldier's neck is above the base of his spine, which signifies that he has reached the vertical position. On the way back down, only the soldier's shoulder blades must touch the ground before he returns to the vertical position. For a maximum score, a 30-year-old, male or female, would have to do 82 sit-ups.
Run
The last event of the APFT is the 2-mile run. Soldiers are given an overall flat run course that can be located on any given run route or a track. The time limit of the 2-mile run is dependent upon age and sex of the soldier. The scorekeeper will track the soldier's time and record it once she has completed the run. Walking breaks are allowed, if absolutely necessary, as long as the soldier completes the run in an acceptable amount of time. A 30-year-old male would need to do the run in 13 minutes and 18 seconds or less, and a 30-year-old female would need a time of 15 minutes and 54 seconds or less to receive a maximum score.
Scoring
The raw scores of the three APFT events are converted into a point score. To successfully pass the APFT, a soldier must score at least 60 points in each event, with a maximum score of 100. Scores are determined by age group and sex of the soldier. Consult the Army Physical Fitness Training Manual, FM 21-20 for the full scoring scale.
Height and Weight
In addition to the APFT, Army Reservists must maintain an acceptable height and weight. Height and weight standards are measured according to body fat percentage which is based on sex, age and the girth method. If a soldier does not meet height and weight requirements, he will be measured accordingly to determine body fat percentage. A very muscular male may weigh more than his age and height allow, but upon measuring his body fat, it will be determined that his weight is acceptable due to a low body fat percentage. A 30-year-old male is allowed 24 percent body fat, and a 30-year-old female is allowed 34 percent body fat.
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