How to fix Civil Air Patrol PT

[rightstuffpilot]

CAP Cadets: As you should know PT is currently scored using the 2 out of 3 rule and a percentile of the Presidential Physical Fitness Standards. What would you like to see done with the physical fitness program? NCAC is currently looking for ways to enhance or change the system.

[C/ZOOMIE]

Well, Ma'am, to start I think sit and reach should be flushed, some people can get a perfect score on everything but just aren't flexible enough to do sit and reach. For instance, I'm 6'0, my arms are about 3 feet each and I was built so inflexible I can't even reach to the ruler...........


Also, Cadets shouldn't have to run the mile as fast, I've had to shuttle run for all of my promotions (I have 75% lung function), and I think for other people who don't have asthma but just low lung function (like me) it should be a little easier. I can't even pass the Curry Mile Run Time. (my mile run is around 10:38)........

[CAPSmith]

Originally Posted by C/ZOOMIE

Well, Sir, to start I think sit and reach should be flushed, some people can get a perfect score on everything but just aren't flexible enough to do sit and reach. For instance, I'm 6'0, my arms are about 3 feet each and I was built so inflexible I can't even reach to the ruler...........

Not to derail this discussion, but this is the entire reason for the cadet PT program. To promote a life long habit of physical fitness. That means that you should be doing things outside of the meeting. I'll let you in on a secret. I'm 6'1" and the lower half of my spine is fused. I suppose that would make me pretty inflexible. Even with that, I can easily reach the max point for the sit and reach.

What you need to do is stretch more, your hamstrings and muscles aren't flexible because you need to do more stretching. We had a cadet when I was one that said he "wasn't flexible." He couldn't even touch his knees when he was standing up. After about a month, he could touch his toes no problem.

Easiest way is to stand up and just bend over. Let the weight of your upper body act as the resistance, after a few minutes you'll notice a difference. Try this out, see if it works.

Also, Cadets shouldn't have to run the mile as fast, I've had to shuttle run for all of my promotions (I have 75% lung function), and I think for other people who don't have asthma but just low lung function (like me) it should be a little easier. I can't even pass the Curry Mile Run Time. (my mile run is around 10:38)........

Have you considered getting a doctors note? I would probably consider you to be a category III cadet. I don't know that the mile could really be slowed down any more. Once you get to the 13-14 minute range, you're talking about someones mile WALK time.

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When I joined CAP as a cadet 12 years ago we had a different PT program. It was a point based program that had three events; sit-ups, sit&reach and mile run (or swim alternative - to this day I don't know who ever did it). To pass the CPFT you needed to have a certain number of cumulative points.

So for example, a 6:30 mile run got you 100 points. 60 Sit-ups got you 100 points and 25 cm sit&reach got you 100 points. Max score was 300 points and only needed for the Spaatz Award.

Let's say you were new to the program and going for your first stripe, you needed 125 points to earn your first stripe. So you run a mile in 10:00 which gave you 45 points, did 25 sit-ups which gave you 45 points and did a sit an reach of 18 cm for 60 points. Total was 150 points - you pass. However what happened is that until you reached about C/1st Lt you wouldn't even need to complete all of the events to pass and in some cases you would only need to max one even and do like 5 situps.

This method didn't really advocate habits of exercise, to me it promoted doing the bare minimum to pass.

The current method is designed off established metrics, which is good. But again, there really isn't anything that promoted habitual pysical fitness routines. Everything is geared towards a test, so you do what you need to do to pass the test.

In many ways I like the test because it offers objective data that shows progression, but in many ways I don't like it. I think it would be beneficial to create the program to include outside physical activity requirements. After all, the goal is a "habit of physical fitness." So why is the only time we pay attention to it once a month?

I would advocate a program that said you had to do "x" amount of physical activity per week with a test each month. So during the week you'd "be required" to do 4 hours of physical activity, whether it was playing a sport or running, etc. Then a PT test based off some established standards. The 4 hours could be signed off by a parent or gym teacher, or even (imagine this), trusting the cadet to do it and sign themselves off. Could be worth taking a look at.

[ang1sgt]

CAPSmith is right here.

This is about setting a standard and striving to achieve this standard, with the hope you will continue throughout your life.

I can still meet and BEAT the USAF Fitness standards at 52 years of age. My last 1.5 mile run before I retired was a 9:45 which beats the standard by a fair bit.

Things like being aware of one's fitness level are important. Things like resting heart rate, your Working heart rate ad max heart rates all come into play. I would love to see some of this included into the fitness standards because it is a better gauge of overall conditioning.

After having a Cardiac Event last November, it really becomes more important.

[rightstuffpilot]

As others have said already, the goal of the Cadet Physical Fitness Program is to promote life long Physical Fitness. When CAP designed the program, they wanted a "sponsor". Presidental Fitness was choosen. The current standards meet what Presidential Fitness has outlined for school aged children. While CAP could change the sponsor, I don't honestly see this going away very soon. This is the reason for having the sit and reach in the first place. Going back to the points system is the primary proposal NCAC is considering at this time. There is also talk of potentially bringing back the swim for cadets who struggle with running. The point system would be based off the percentages and largely determined by CAPNHQ. I'm sure as with most things this would be field tested first.

The PT program has no "easy" solution that makes everyone happy. I did notice that Presidental Fitness now has a program online where you can log your daily fitness and count this towards achieveing the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards. I do , however, believe in most circumstances CAP needs a way of being able to test, administer, and regulate further than what the current Presidential Fitness Program entails.

* Side Note * C/ZOOMIE, the lung issue you need to speak to your squadron about. If it is a problem, a docter should know about it. Secondarily, physical fitness is nearly all connected. Running is a great way to to help increase your Sit and Reach scores. You CAN practice for sit and reach. Most have to inorder to achieve Milestones. Refer to the PT Manual for stretches and guidlines about possible fitness activities that will help you.

[C/ZOOMIE]

Originally Posted by rightstuffpilot

As others have said already, the goal of the Cadet Physical Fitness Program is to promote life long Physical Fitness. When CAP designed the program, they wanted a "sponsor". Presidental Fitness was choosen. The current standards meet what Presidential Fitness has outlined for school aged children. While CAP could change the sponsor, I don't honestly see this going away very soon. This is the reason for having the sit and reach in the first place. Going back to the points system is the primary proposal NCAC is considering at this time. There is also talk of potentially bringing back the swim for cadets who struggle with running. The point system would be based off the percentages and largely determined by CAPNHQ. I'm sure as with most things this would be field tested first.

The PT program has no "easy" solution that makes everyone happy. I did notice that Presidental Fitness now has a program online where you can log your daily fitness and count this towards achieveing the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards. I do , however, believe in most circumstances CAP needs a way of being able to test, administer, and regulate further than what the current Presidential Fitness Program entails.

* Side Note * C/ZOOMIE, the lung issue you need to speak to your squadron about. If it is a problem, a docter should know about it. Secondarily, physical fitness is nearly all connected. Running is a great way to to help increase your Sit and Reach scores. You CAN practice for sit and reach. Most have to inorder to achieve Milestones. Refer to the PT Manual for stretches and guidlines about possible fitness activities that will help you.

Ok, thanks, Ma'am. I appreciate the advice ..............

[Delta Charlie]

I really don't think the Physical Fitness Testing Program should be changed. It is simple, challenging, but not so difficult that it is out of reach for a motivated cadet.

Now, I do think that CAP should place more emphasis on proper nutrition, and give squadrons more tools when it comes to PT beyond the CPFT. Every month my squadron runs two PT programs, those who need to test go do the CPFT, those who have already passed their test do a different PT. If CAP were to expand the grass drills and circuit courses already described in CAPP 52-18, as well as maybe create and AEX like program for PT. The President's Challenge is a great award, but there are many units that have decent PT scores, but have so many inactive members on their roster that such an award is impossible to achieve. More incentive for squadrons to place and increased emphasis on PT is what is needed. For the CPFT, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[rightstuffpilot]

Delta Charlie,
This is not impossible to fix. Contact your squadron commander about potentially moving cadets and senior members who have been inactive for a long time to a "ghost squadron" or to Patron Status.