Thursday, October 24, 2013

Possible tweaks 'make IPPT better'

My Paper, Thursday, October 24, 2013, Page A3, News
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/emnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2013-10-24

Source Website:
http://mypaper.sg/news/possible-tweaks-make-ippt-better-20131024
By Adrian Lim, adrianl@sph.com.sg, mypaper, Published on Oct 24, 2013 7:07 AM

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/no-decision-changes-ippt-system-yet-saf-20131024 - (Picture)
By Jermyn Chow Defence Correspondent And Lee Jian Xuan, Straits Times, Published on Oct 24, 2013 7:07 AM
 

The Singapore Army said it has not yet decided on making changes to the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT)
PHOTO: The Singapore Army said it has not yet decided on making changes to the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT). -- ST FILE PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg829moZnpe-c12guLBfort7eyXwBdAq5ZQwSQcnxbkJAyNU8THS5moyk8-Jyzw_cL73VkjWOIPWG0RXRD5pWG3KtPezDQKoW_Le7bd7GyPSNOmj9ja7_0CV1CypE23CiKeueCHtyailFa5/s1600/Ippt5850098e.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/imagecache/story-gallery-featured/20131024/Ippt5850098e.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/no-decision-changes-ippt-system-yet-saf-20131024


GOING by responses from experts, the possible changes being considered by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) may result in a better gauge of fitness.

The Straits Times reported yesterday that, among the changes being considered, one was to make soldiers run a longer distance of 3.2km, instead of the current 2.4km, in their annual fitness test.

The Singapore Army said on Facebook yesterday that the SAF constantly reviews its training system and "there has not been any decision to change" the IPPT system.

Even so, many of the experts who looked at the possible changes flagged in the report gave them the thumbs up.

They said these could, among other things, minimise the risk of injury and over-exertion.

If the running distance was increased, for example, experts believed that soldiers would be given more time to complete the segment at a more moderate pace.

The report mentioned that SAF was also considering scrapping the standing-broad-jump requirement and adding a new push-up criterion.

There are five categories in the current IPPT - sit-ups, standing broad jump, chin-up, a 4x10m shuttle run and a 2.4km run.


The current  Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) fitness - 2.4km run (Proposed: Extended to 3.2km)

PHOTO: The current  Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) fitness - 2.4km run (Proposed: Extended to 3.2km)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJFF1lTo04JgKSV5WgiIUymCUKXnS4_9K5HWLjwkz_cS1sFtywiZsnw1-2EDfV7BAUKV0duNOa2RqjfHoPb6LrDu4-sRMNZ8dE1JHOESzaG4rfArPsM6lHrAxrfrf2yeMWrNyA66D4dNb/s1600/2.4kM+Run.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20131024/ST_20131024_JCIPPT24Z2A1_3894237.pdf
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/no-decision-changes-ippt-system-yet-saf-20131024


The current Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) fitness - Sit-Ups
PHOTO: The Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) fitness - sit-ups, standing broad jump, Chin-up (not in picture), a 4x10m shuttle run and a 2.4km run, Push-up
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsebEa4IKsHzZ9n7bO5P_iqDkb7BMY-A4RWfwTv8cbvhcNN6T-5NPSAMxrRTv66fk2tUjIVNTy-6QOoOBpHnsEpIbNVy99nH1sOxp8m6JpZ8MnGmfWPp1Wxmvdqir3bcPmOabFXljLhzK/s1600/IPPT-1.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20131024/ST_20131024_JCIPPT24Z2A1_3894237.pdf
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/no-decision-changes-ippt-system-yet-saf-20131024


Exercise physiologist Ray Loh from Tan Tock Seng Hospital's Sports Medicine and Surgery Clinic said a 3.2km run is a better test of aerobic fitness.

While well-trained runners can complete 2.4km within nine minutes, a 3.2km run would require more than 10 minutes, he noted.

Mr Loh explained that it is at the 10-minute mark that "aerobic-energy contribution increases, while anaerobic-energy contribution reduces significantly".

He believed a 3.2km run could provide a more complete assessment of overall fitness, as the shuttle-run category already tests a soldier's anaerobic capacity.

Dr Kelvin Chew, a senior consultant at the Changi Sports Medicine Centre, said a 3.2km run may make a huge difference to a serviceman who has trouble passing the current 2.4km.

"The passing and merit criteria need to be carefully examined," he said.

Mr Jonathan Fong, co-founder of Journey Fitness Company which helps train runners and triathletes, said: "It's a fairer gauge of base fitness - being able to run for a continuous amount of time, at a lower intensity."

Mr Fong added: "(The risk of) injury also (goes) up exponentially when you increase intensity, and if you are unprepared."

But Mr Nelson Chong, founder of the health-and-fitness specialist, the Functional Training Institute, said there is not much difference between a 2.4km and a 3.2km run.

About 116,000 people take the IPPT every year, and those who fail have to attend a remedial-training programme.

Business owner Yan Yew Kay, 34, who has not passed his IPPT in the past few years, said a 3.2km distance, coupled with an increased time allowed per lap, would be a "better test of endurance".

Business undergraduate Clement Tan, 21, felt that SAF should not do away with the standing broad jump.
"It's important, as soldiers need to jump over ditches and obstacles (on the battlefield),"he said.
By Adrian Lim, adrianl@sph.com.sg, mypaper, Published on Oct 24, 2013 7:07 AM


No decision on changes to IPPT system yet: SAF
From http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/no-decision-changes-ippt-system-yet-saf-20131024
By Jermyn Chow Defence Correspondent And Lee Jian Xuan, Straits Times, Published on Oct 24, 2013 7:07 AM

The Singapore Army said it has not yet decided on making changes to the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT). But some SAF personnel say they have undergone trial of new test.

The Straits Times reported yesterday that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are looking to tweak the yearly IPPT for the first time since 1982.

Sources told The Straits Times that commanders have been briefed about the likely changes, which could kick in next year, while servicemen revealed that they had taken the new tests as part of trials.

Changes could see the standing broad jump being scrapped, a push-up component added and the run extended to 3.2km.



HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn
Fitness: 体能 tǐ néng
Thumbs up: 赞许 zàn xǔ
Standing Broad Jump: 立定跳远 lì dìng tiào yuǎn
Continuous: 持续的 chí xù de



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