DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL-FITNESS STANDARDS FOR CANADIAN ARMED-FORCES OLDER PERSONNEL

The purpose of the study was to develop a minimum physical fitness standard for Canadian Forces personnel, 35 years and older, based on common criteria for physically demanding tasks. A random sample of 100 men and 76 women performed the Exercise Prescription (EXPRES) test and five physically demanding tasks that simulate common military tasks, while restricted,for safety reasons, to 90% maximal predicted heart rate. Results indicated poor predictive power, as variances ranged from 5 to 55% between EXPRES fitness scores and task performance. With approval from an expert panel, the 75th percentile score for each task was selected as the cutting criterion. The passing-group data were converted to Z-scores in order to determine the 5th percentile from each EXPRES item. these scores became the EXPRES fitness standard. The minimum fitness standard had a greater impact on women than on men but was representative of the passing groups for both sexes.