AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- This is the first story of a three-part series highlighting fitness. The series gives insight into expert opinions about how Airmen can lead a healthy lifestyle.
The Aviano Fitness Assessment Cell monitors are seeing high failure rates with the establishment of the new Air Force physical fitness assessment.
In July, Aviano had a 32.6 percent failure rate with 104 out of 319 testers failing. However, the new test is also seeing a high number of excellent scores with 119 out of 319 testers earning a score of 90 or higher.
The highest failure rate FAC officials are seeing is among the push-up assessments with a 23 percent failure rate. The push-up assessment requires the individual to execute as many proper push-ups as possible in one-minute. FAC officials say the biggest problem is form.
"There are several issues our test administrators are seeing when testers are doing the push-up assessment," said Tech. Sgt. Adam Salonish, FAC NCO in charge. "Members are not going down low enough when in the down position, or fully extending their arms when in the up position. The member's elbows must break 90 degrees, making the upper arm parallel to the ground while keeping their bodies in straight alignment from head to heel."
The good news is that Airmen who are unsure of the proper form can visit the FAC, in building 1362T at the back of the 31st Fighter Wing Headquarter building, between 1 and 3 p.m. weekdays for one-on-one instruction from the experts. Airmen who fail their fitness tests have 90 days to retake the test, as stated in Air Force Instruction 36-2905. Retesting is not recommended during the first 42 days after an unsatisfactory test. Recognized medical guidelines provide that this time is needed to recondition from unsatisfactory to satisfactory status in a manner reducing risk of injury.
"The failure rate is, in reality, lower than we expected," Sergeant Salonish said. "The expected rate was 35 to 40 percent. However, nearly 33 percent is still high, and the base is doing as much as possible to bring it down. The FAC and Health and Wellness Center offer clinics, classes and personal instruction to those who need it."
The new fitness assessment began July 1, and includes biannual testing rather than annual, a minimum passing score in each fitness category, and the hiring of 250 civilians Air Force-wide to administer the fitness tests. Officials said the test was made more stringent to promote year-long fitness.
With a maximum score of 100 points, a tester can earn up to 60 aerobic points, 20 abdominal circumference points, 10 sit-up points and 10 push-up points, with a minimum score for each category based on age and gender regulations.
The HAWC has the Balanced Eating, Workout Efficiently, Live Long program that can help these Airmen pass their fitness test. Airmen who fail must attend the three-hour class within 10 duty days of failing the assessment.
The three-hour BEWELL course consists of three educational components - behavior modification, nutrition and exercise. There are also supplemental BEWELL courses to target specific weaknesses including cardio, strength and healthy weight. In addition, the HAWC offers several other healthy living classes, including healthy cooking and a running clinic that helps improve running forms. All classes are open to anyone, regardless of PT scores.
Under the new policy, commanders can discharge Airmen who fail consecutive tests if they fail to demonstrate significant improvement. However, they must make a discharge or retention recommendation when an Airman remains in the unsatisfactory fitness category for 12 months, or receives four failing scores in 24 months.
"There are consequences for failure and rewards for excellence - the stringent standards are an incentive for Airmen to workout on a regular basis and maintain the fitness level the military requires of them," said Sergeant Salonish. "Those who work out regularly and 'study' for this test will do well, as shown by the high percentage of excellent scores. Those who have bad study habits and don't work out at least three to five times a week are going to show it in their PT scores."
For more information, call the FAC at 632-8034 or the HAWC at 632-4573. All HAWC classes must be scheduled through your unit fitness program manager.