Tyndall Airmen shine under new PT standards one year later

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  One year after the new Air Force fitness program and standards began, Tyndall Airmen are proving they are up to the task.

Revisions to the Air Force fitness program took effect July 1, 2010, and these modifications to the fitness test assessment place greater responsibility on Airmen to maintain year-round fitness. As of June 2011, the base has a nearly 96 percent pass rate.

"The program is going really well," said Lou South, Tyndall Fitness Center director. "We are really pleased with the results and the transition has been smooth."

Some changes have occurred within the last year, one of which is how pushups and sit-ups are counted.

Prior to February 2011, Airmen were required to test one-on-one with a fitness assessment cell member, with one FAC member counting and another keeping time for the Airman testing. Airmen are now permitted to count for each other, while the FAC member keeps time and oversees and ensures proper form is maintained.

"The new system of pairing Airmen off with one another has an element of integrity to it," South said. "You still have to count only legal pushups and sit-ups for the individual and you can't give the FAC member a higher number just because you want your buddy to pass."

"FAC members can't keep an eye on every single count for each person in the room testing," he added. "So it's still important to have integrity during testing."

Members are still evaluated on body composition by measuring abdominal circumference, an aerobic component evaluated by a 1.5-mile timed run or one mile walk test to measure VO2 (for members with running waivers) and a muscular fitness component evaluated by the number of pushups and sit-ups completed within one minute.

"I have seen an improvement in how much Airmen are motivated to pass their test and then continue to pursue a healthy lifestyle even after the test," said Erik Edwards, lead fitness assessment cell technician, who has been administering the test at Tyndall for the last year. "Lifestyle is what it's all about. Healthy eating and fitness routines are important to maintain and improve fitness, not just for the test, but for life."

"Arrive for your fitness test prepared and you won't have anything to worry about," he added.

Other changes are being made at the base level. The Air Force has given each base the responsibility to decide how they will handle scheduling the fitness assessment.

"Beginning in August, Tyndall will have a new scheduling format that is automated," said South. "It will be a Website that will give the member access to official score cards, spreadsheets and will also list who their unit fitness program manager is."

"UFPM's will also have access to the member's site and will be able to schedule testing from there," he added.

The fitness center will hold a mandatory UFPM training session on the new system 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27 at Horizons Community Center.

"It's important unit fitness program managers understand how to use the new system," South said. 

Airmen seeking to improve their fitness assessment test scores or just wanting to start living a healthy lifestyle have several options offered through the Health and Wellness Center on base.

For a complete list of classes offered by the Health and Wellness Center, click here to view the calendar.