What are the new Army fitness protocols? What are the changes introduced?

In recent times, the physical standards among Indian Army officers have been declining. Additionally, a few lifestyle diseases were also increasingly found among the Army personnel. In order to address these serious issues, the Indian Army has brought forward a new policy. The policy is stringent in the sense that it brings forward tests for the personnel, puts punitive action for the personnel that are overweight, and more.

Additionally, the new policy urges every individual in the Army to maintain an Army Physical Fitness Assessment card, abbreviated as the APAC. Previously, a Commanding officer took charge of the quarterly tests. However, the new change considers a Brigadier rank officer as the presiding officer, thereby replacing the previous format.

The aim of the new policy is to bring uniformity to the testing process. The policy will cater to matters of officers not being physically fit and how the lifestyle diseases are increasing.

What does the new Fitness Policy Say? Here are the important factors

The new fitness policy aims at changing the existing testing procedure to ensure high standards of physical fitness. First things first, the new policy is concerned with the right weight of the army personnel based on their respective ages, and thus sets a clear requirement standard for the the officers to abide by. Here are the weight requirements that the officers need to meet as per their age.

For Age Group: 28 to 32 years

For Age Group: 33 to 77 years

For Age Group: 38 to 42 years

For Age Group: 43 to 47 years

For Age Group: 48 and above

Apart from the weight requirements, officers need to go through the quarterly tests, known as the Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) and the Battle Physical Efficiency Test (BPET). These tests are designed to evaluate the physical fitness of the officers. They also check the readiness of the officers to combat. For the Annual Confidential Report of the officers, these tests play an important role.

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The Physical Proficiency Test (PPT)

This test is aimed at checking the overall physical proficiency of the officers. The test comprises a myriad of exercises to analyze the strength, flexibility, and endurance of the officers.

As a part of the test, officers must finish a 2.4-kilometer run. This would test the cardiovascular endurance of the officers.

The exercise also comprises a five-meter shuttle. This is actually quick movements between two points. This test provides an estimate of the officers' agility and speed.

Pushups are also an important exercise in the test, as they help assess the upper body strength of the officer.

Another exercise in the test is the chin-ups. These provide an assessment of the muscular endurance of the officers. Officers are also required to finish a set of sit-ups. These give a clear assessment of the abdominal endurance of the officers. 

Finally, there is a 100-meter sprint meant to check the speed and acceleration of the officer.

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Battle Physical Efficiency Test (BPET)

The Battle Physical Efficiency Test comprises a myriad of physical activities. The officers are required to complete these activities within a specified time frame, set according to their age groups.

Through these tests, the officers are required to complete a five-kilometer run. This run is enough to test the endurance and cardiovascular fitness of the officers.

An officer's agility and speed are tested through a 60-meter sprint.

The upper body strength of the officers is tested by a horizontal rope climb and a vertical rope climb.

Officers are required to cross a 9-foot deep channel in a set time frame. This test is to test the coordination and physical agility of the officers.

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