Report: Army Now Mulling Modified Fitness Test For Injured Troops

The Army is developing a modified fitness test for injured soldiers, Stars and Stripes reported Monday.

By the fall of 2020, the new Army Combat Fitness Test will be required across the Army and will include six standard events: deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release pushups, “sprint-drag-carry,” leg tucks and a two-mile run. 

Initially, no alternatives were planned. But under a new proposal, injured troops could row, bike or swim instead, the news outlet reported.

In a statement, the Army said if the new fitness test is approved, injured soldiers would still have to complete as many standard events as possible — and at a minimum, have to do the three-repetition maximum deadlift, the sprint-drag-carry and one of three substitute events — a 5,000-meter row, a 15,000-meter stationary bike or a 1,200-meter swim, any of which is to be completed in 25 minutes or less, Stars and Stripes reported.

“The alternate events measure minimum attributes soldiers need to fight, render aid to others and decrease risk to themselves in a combat environment,” the statement said.

Officials are not expected to make a final determination on the new testing standards until Oct. 1.

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