Army challenge to fitness of public

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 8

Army challenge to fitness of public

, This year’s Telethon apI pea] will benefit from another ’ challenge to the fitness of the I public by the New Zealand ; Army. Last year the Army introduced its standard fitness tests to the public, with proceeds going to Telethon, i This resulted partly from I publicity given to a claim ithat very few recruits could .pass the standard test of fitness. This year the tests will be held at King Edward Barracks on June 29. June 30 and July 1. Entrants will be charged 50c to attempt the ! test, and all proceeds will go to Telethon ’7B. Those who are successful will be given a card showing what standard they achieved. Army physical training in-, structors will supervise the test.

The regular fitness levelj •itest has to be passed by; : every medically-fit soldier; 11 every six months. It is, how-j ever, graded according to i • age, sex, and occupation! • within the service. i A soldier aged between 17; ■ and 24 years in a combat unit! i would be expected to run I i two miles within 12 minutes; I and 14 seconds, do 50 sit-ups within two minutes, and do 28 press-ups and seven chin- j ; 1 ups. ; An office soldier aged be-J •I tween 36 and 40 would bell ;■ expected to run the same dis- ‘I ; tance within 16-1 minutes, to I 1 do 35 sit-ups. 13 press-ups, I 'land two chin-ups. And a female soldier aged, between 25- and 28 would I have to run two miles in 18j| minutes and a half, and do I 125 sit-ups in two minutes.