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Changes to the Fitness AFI

  • Published
  • Health and Wellness Center
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  In the Air Force a healthy, fit force is a necessity and ultimately key to providing a ready, deployable force.

One aspect of this is maintaining the Air Force mandated fitness standards. Since implementation in October 2010 of the new fitness assessment guidelines, AFI 36-2905, only .03 percent of Airmen have failed the abdominal circumference component of the physical fitness test, or PFT, while still passing the cardiovascular and strength components of the test. Of the changes to AFI 36-2905, put in place Oct. 21, the most significant is to the abdominal circumference, or AC, portion of the test. The AC measurement is designed to track increases in the unhealthy body fat that accumulates around an Airman's waist line. This is not a direct measure of body composition. For an accurate assessment of body composition it is recommended members complete a free BOD POD assessment at the Health and Wellness Center, or HAWC.

The recent changes to AFI 36-2905 state that if an Airman fails the abdominal circumference component of the PFT, and passes each of the other three components, the fitness assessment cell, or FA, will re-measure that Airman using the Body Mass Index, or BMI, and DOD tape test for body fat assessment. If the Airman meets the DOD BMI standard, or the body fat standard, they will pass the PFT.

"This addition to the body composition component upholds our confidence in the AC measurement while allowing those rare Airmen who fail the AC measurement, but do very well on the other three components, to meet the DOD body fat standards," said Col. Dawn Keasley, chief of the military force policy division.

If on profile the AC measurement cannot be appealed.

A high abdominal circumference, which is a male with an AC measurement greater than 39 inches and a female with an AC measurement greater than 35.5 inches, puts Airman at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. In order to maintain or lose weight, Airmen must modify eating habits and increase the amount of physical activity they achieve each day. Lifestyle changes will gradually reduce the abdominal circumference and help to keep off excess fat. The real goal is to improve and maintain good health. This is a goal for every member of the Air Force to strive for.

Losing weight can be overwhelming and stressful for some Airmen. The mission of the HAWC is to educate and guide Airmen to live a healthier lifestyle. The HAWC offers a healthy weight program called, "Better Body Better Life," or BBBL, which is ideal for members struggling with the AC component of the PFT. BBBL is designed to educate and motivate individuals to incorporate healthy eating, physical activity, meditation, and behavior modification to establish the habits of a healthier lifestyle. This class is open to active duty, civilians and family members. Healthy habits at home continue while at work, which makes the BBBL class ideal educating the military member and the whole family.

In addition to the AC measurement changing, the walk PFT component for members on profile has eliminated the heart rate factor from the scoring equation. Rather than factoring in time, heart rate, age, gender and body weight into the equation to score the one mile walk test, the new two kilometer walk test is scored by completion time. Standards are set by the Airman's age and gender. The two km distance, equivalent to 1.24 miles, will be a pass or fail test. The walk test component will not count toward the total fitness assessment, or FA, score. Only the remaining FA components will be factored into the final score. Airmen on medical profiles will be required to test every six months. Reference AFI 36-2905, A17.2 to review the new two km walk time standards, specific to age and gender.

The HAWC has specifically designed a walking clinic to assist Airmen who are struggling with the walk component of the PFT. The clinic will improve walking form and speed as well as the overall member's fitness level.

Call the HAWC at 256-7139 for more information regarding the walk clinic as well as the multitude of fitness, nutrition and tobacco cessation classes that the HAWC offers to create a healthier you.