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The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on Thursday that the items in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) fitness test are likely to stay unchanged. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
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THE 2.4km run that combat-fit soldiers do as part of their annual test looks set to stay as a measure of a person's fitness level.
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on Thursday that the items in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) fitness test are likely to stay unchanged.
In response to a query from The Straits Times after a reader called for modified running distances, Mindef Spokesperson Colonel Darius Lim, the ministry's Director Public Affairs, explained how standards for the Individual Physical Fitness Test (IPPT) were set.
The IPPT has five test stations. These are: sit-ups, chin-ups, shuttle run, standing broad jump and the timed 2.4km run.
According to Col Lim, benchmarks for the Napfa Test, which students also take, were derived from studies conducted by the Singapore Sports Council.
'The 2.4 km run is a test of cardiovascular fitness and endurance,'' he said.
Straits Times reader, Rick Lim Say Kiong, has suggested in a Forum Page letter published on Jan 7 that the IPPT running distance be extended to 4 or 5km, with a time limit of 30 to 40 minutes.
Doing so would focus 'more on the endurance and general fitness than speed'.
'This should put less strain on the heart and body, while giving the runners some time to warm up and ready their bodies for the run in a less gruelling manner,' Mr Lim said.
The reader claimed fitness experts recommended that people should engage in a cardiovascular exercise -- any actvity that exercises the heart, lungs and blood circulatory system -- continuously for at least 20 minutes in order to maximise its benefits.
His letter was triggered by the death of a 41-year-old SAF officer last week after a 1.2km self-paced run.
Col Lim said all servicemen above the age of 35 must go through a medical checkup, done by the SAF, to assess their physical fitness before they attempt the fitness test.
He said:'The IPPT is an annual fitness test that every SAF serviceman has to undertake . Servicemen are expected to maintain a basic level of physical fitness as operationally ready soldiers.'
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