Unlock the Power of Your Workforce
Maximize Your Team's Potential with our Human Performance Solutions
ACFT to AFT: How the Army’s Fitness Test Is Evolving
The Army Fitness Test (AFT) will officially replace the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) as the standard for physical assessment across all Army components beginning June 1, 2025. This transition reflects an ongoing effort to improve combat readiness, reduce injury risk, and align physical testing more closely with real-world performance demands.
What’s Changing?
The new AFT includes five events:
- 3-Rep Max Deadlift
- Hand Release Push-Up with Arm Extension
- Sprint-Drag-Carry
- Front Plank
- 2-Mile Run
One major shift is the removal of the Standing Power Throw (SPT), a decision driven by internal Army reviews and RAND Corporation analysis.
Scoring Criteria:
- Combat specialties: One unified, sex-neutral, age-normed standard requiring a total score of 350 (minimum 60 points per event)
- Combat enabling specialties: Maintains age- and sex-normed scoring with a total passing score of 300
No administrative actions related to the AFT will be enforced until January 1, 2026.
Why Drop the Standing Power Throw?
The SPT, originally included in the ACFT to assess upper-body power, was criticized for its limited transferability to military tasks and potential injury risk.
Findings revealed:
- Male Soldiers, especially in combat roles, generally performed better due to upper-body strength advantages
- Taller Soldiers benefited from mechanical leverage, raising concerns about fairness
- SPT performance was not strongly correlated with combat effectiveness, but did appear associated with higher injury rates
As a result, the Army opted to eliminate the event to reduce injury risk and improve test consistency.
Are We Losing a Critical Component?
While the SPT had its flaws, it was the only event that directly measured explosive power. The AFT still includes demanding elements like the Sprint-Drag-Carry and Deadlift, but these do not isolate power in the same way.
Removing this power-specific test may reduce insight into a Soldier’s ability to execute high-force tasks like lifting, vaulting, or dragging under pressure. Units may need to address this gap in their training programs.
Considerations on Body Mechanics and Test Fairness
Anthropometric differences (such as limb length and height) continue to influence performance outcomes across events. While the SPT favored taller individuals, the Deadlift favors those with shorter limbs due to reduced lift distance. These differences highlight the challenge of designing a truly “neutral” test.
The AFT reflects progress in some areas but does not resolve all fairness concerns.
Moving Forward: Training Beyond the Test
The AFT promotes safety and accessibility, but narrowing training to the test may limit overall readiness. Units that rely solely on minimum standards risk underpreparing Soldiers for the physical demands of combat.
Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) programs, including strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and nutritional guidance, will play a critical role in ensuring Soldiers are trained for more than just passing scores.
Conclusion
The transition to the AFT is a step toward refining the Army’s approach to physical readiness. While it improves inclusivity and reduces injury risks, it also introduces new challenges—particularly the lack of a dedicated power assessment.
Commanders, coaches, and Soldiers alike should view the AFT as a baseline—not the ceiling. Ongoing investment in comprehensive human performance strategies will be key to building a stronger, more capable force.
Written by Michael Laverriere, MS, CSCS, SiteWell Solutions subcontractor supporting the NH National Guard SWIFT program.
About SiteWell Solutions
SiteWell Solutions provides injury prevention, workforce wellness, and performance training for high-risk industries. We support HR, Safety, Wellness, and Operations leaders with proven strategies in occupational strength and conditioning, work hardening, prehabilitation, nutrition coaching, and mental resilience programs. We’re here to reduce workplace injuries, lower costs, improve employee well-being and productivity - so you can stay mission-focused.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest in employee wellness and injury prevention. Contact us at info@sitewellsolutions.com to discover how we help your workforce move and feel their best.
Disclaimer:
SiteWell Solutions is a contracted provider under Contract #W912TF22C0001 supporting the Strategic Wellness and Individual Fitness Training (SWIFT) program — a pilot initiative serving Army and Air National Guard service members and their families. All media used with participant consent. Content does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Recent Articles
Health tips in your inbox
Our Services
Get in touch
Terms & Conditions | SWS App Privacy Policy
© SiteWell Solutions | 2025 All rights reserved
Site design by WebXDesigner.com