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Ministry of Defense to tighten fitness standards for troops

ROC Central News Agency

09/01/20 14:44:48

By Luis Yu

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) The Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced Tuesday that new physical fitness standards for male and female personnel, based on sit-ups, push-ups and the 3,000-meter run, will be imposed in 2010.

During a routine press conference, the MND said it will test the feasibility of the plan for a year before officially adopting the new physical readiness test standards in 2010.

According to the ministry, the new physical readiness tests will require both males and females to elevate their cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, endurance and mobility.

Under the new standards, both men and women in the armed forces between the ages of 19 and 22 will be required to complete 70 sit-ups in two minutes and 66 push-ups in the same amount of time.

At present, men are expected to do 33 sit-ups in one minute and six pull-ups.

The existing requirements for women to run 2,400 meters and men to run 3,000 meters in under 16 minutes will also be changed. Both men and women between the ages of 19 and 22 will soon have to complete the 3,000-meter run in under 14 minutes.

The ministry said it also hopes that all members of the armed forces, regardless of age, improve their 3,000-meter times by 1 to 2 minutes.

Unlike current practices, however, the military will not force overweight servicemen or servicewomen to meet the requirements, giving the tests only to those who have normal body mass indexes (BMI).

"The MND will offer a 3- to 6-month weight reduction program to those suffering from obesity, " an MND official said. "They will not be required to participate in the physical readiness tests until their BMI meets normal standards."

According to the ministry, if everything goes well, the new plan will take effect in 2010, and it will also be used as a physical requirement for future candidates wishing to join the armed forces voluntarily.