2.4km run in IPPT for soldiers to stay: Mindef

THE 2.4km run that combat-fit soldiers do as part of their annual test looks set to stay as a measure of a person's fitness level.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on Thursday that the items in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) fitness test are likely to stay unchanged.

In response to a query from The Straits Times after a reader called for modified running distances, Mindef Spokesperson Colonel Darius Lim, the ministry's Director Public Affairs, explained how standards for the Individual Physical Fitness Test (IPPT) were set.

The IPPT has five test stations. These are: sit-ups, chin-ups, shuttle run, standing broad jump and the timed 2.4km run.

According to Col Lim, benchmarks for the Napfa Test, which students also take, were derived from studies conducted by the Singapore Sports Council.

'The 2.4 km run is a test of cardiovascular fitness and endurance,'' he said.

Straits Times reader, Rick Lim Say Kiong, has suggested in a Forum Page letter published on Jan 7 that the IPPT running distance be extended to 4 or 5km, with a time limit of 30 to 40 minutes.

Doing so would focus 'more on the endurance and general fitness than speed'.

'This should put less strain on the heart and body, while giving the runners some time to warm up and ready their bodies for the run in a less gruelling manner,' Mr Lim said.

The reader claimed fitness experts recommended that people should engage in a cardiovascular exercise -- any actvity that exercises the heart, lungs and blood circulatory system -- continuously for at least 20 minutes in order to maximise its benefits.

His letter was triggered by the death of a 41-year-old SAF officer last week after a 1.2km self-paced run.

Col Lim said all servicemen above the age of 35 must go through a medical checkup, done by the SAF, to assess their physical fitness before they attempt the fitness test.

He said:'The IPPT is an annual fitness test that every SAF serviceman has to undertake . Servicemen are expected to maintain a basic level of physical fitness as operationally ready soldiers.'

'This should put less strain on the heart and body, while giving the runners some time to warm up and ready their bodies for the run in a less gruelling manner,' Mr Lim said.

This is a rather dumb reason

Originally posted by eagle:

This is a rather dumb reason

.. correction; it is not a Reason, it's an Excuse... a lame one as you so put it...

Besidesphysical health, one factor the older boys must consider is their weight. At 18 yo, they might have weighed 60-65 kgs. At 30-45 yo, their weight might have increased to 75-85 kgs - extra 15-18 kgs to carry along.

Originally posted by googoomuck:

Besidesphysical health, one factor the older boys must consider is their weight. At 18 yo, they might have weighed 60-65 kgs. At 30-45 yo, their weight might have increased to 75-85 kgs - extra 15-18 kgs to carry along.

It depends on body type and genes. There are pple who will actually drop in weight.

And Hyperfocal is right, just excuses...

extent to 4 or 5km?

Than there will be more people dieing

I think instead of looking at physical training, the Army bigwigs should start looking at soldiers’ diet first. Cookhouse food is pretty unpalatable, and I suspect, not as healthy as it should be. There is also the issue of soldiers preferring canteen food to cookhouse food, which exacerbates the poor diet problem further.

JUST HAVE 1 THING TO SAY :

EVERYONE IS BUILT DIFFERENTLY.

NOT ALL LIVE TO THE SAME AGE BEFORE THEY DIE OR RETIRE.

CONGRATS EVERYONE.

U DESERVE TO BE CONGRATULATED.

Originally posted by reddressman:

JUST HAVE 1 THING TO SAY :

EVERYONE IS BUILT DIFFERENTLY.

NOT ALL LIVE TO THE SAME AGE BEFORE THEY DIE OR RETIRE.

CONGRATS EVERYONE.

U DESERVE TO BE CONGRATULATED.

Sometimes it is worth thinking

Although we are different due to different genes, have we done anything to make sure that our bodies can survive till its genetic potential? Or are we destroying our bodies by doing too many things that reduce the genetic potential?

And one other question to everyone too: Do you regard your own health and fitness as a self-responsibility? I do.

if we're all different then why are the standards for IPPT the same?

a heavy guy requires a lot of muscle to do a pull up

a skinny boy can do it easily

Originally posted by kopiosatu:

if we're all different then why are the standards for IPPT the same?

a heavy guy requires a lot of muscle to do a pull up

a skinny boy can do it easily

That is considered bodyweight exercises. More of a gauge of your strength relative to your bodyweight.

There are also skinny people who are zero-fighters, and extremely heavy people who can do 12 chin ups with ease.

IMHO, i felt that the IPPT should not be called IPPT

IPPT = Individual Physical Proficiency Test

but the results are across the board based on age only. but some pple are naturally bone-heavy or some have other physical defects. so somehow one way or another these pple lose out although they are fit.

i easily clock full points for the stations, but i have this nasal defect which allows me to breath through only one nostril. so i always struggle with cardiovascular activites, eg 2.4km run.

another is my friend who can run 2.4 in under 9mins 40secs. but just because he's heavy he cant pull his pull ups and jump SBJ he have to settle for silver or sometimes pass

the IPPT should be renamed to PPT instead, leaving out the word Individual.

remove the blardy fcuking sbj.

The guy who wrote to the forum is stupid..Obviously those "fitness experts"meant 20 minutes in a moderate pace.To sustain 2.4km within 10 mins?- Self explainatory.

Also its not about the duration..rather the DENSITY.In short, how much work is done.

Who gives a crap if you work the whole day in the office but only 1/2 of the work is done?

Does he even read the papers?Most of the people dead were those running long distances at a slower pace over 2 hours.NOT 10 mins at a much higher pace.

Long live the 2.4km

Originally posted by casshern:

i easily clock full points for the stations, but i have this nasal defect which allows me to breath through only one nostril. so i always struggle with cardiovascular activites, eg 2.4km run.

Somehow I was like that too last time

But nowadays, after I did more training by myself, the problem is almost gone. However, it was a long process.

Regarding bone heavy and not being able to do chin ups is just an excuse. If people can easily train up to do chin ups with an extra 10kg or more weight, I don't see how your friend is not able to do it with 'heavy' bone. How much heavier can it be compared to normal people?

Originally posted by eagle:

Somehow I was like that too last time

But nowadays, after I did more training by myself, the problem is almost gone. However, it was a long process.

Regarding bone heavy and not being able to do chin ups is just an excuse. If people can easily train up to do chin ups with an extra 10kg or more weight, I don't see how your friend is not able to do it with 'heavy' bone. How much heavier can it be compared to normal people?

I have been reading that most of the fatality in IPPT is caused by the 2.4 km run instead of other sation. Any idea?

shouldn’t this be in the NS corner @@

Originally posted by will4:

I have been reading that most of the fatality in IPPT is caused by the 2.4 km run instead of other sation. Any idea?

many fatalities are also caused during marathons or longer distance running... There's a thread in pumping iron on this.

lol lets all migrate

Originally posted by eagle:

Somehow I was like that too last time

But nowadays, after I did more training by myself, the problem is almost gone. However, it was a long process.

Regarding bone heavy and not being able to do chin ups is just an excuse. If people can easily train up to do chin ups with an extra 10kg or more weight, I don't see how your friend is not able to do it with 'heavy' bone. How much heavier can it be compared to normal people?

i'm on consistant trainings, both running and swimming. but unfortunately i just cant breath properly. anyway my unit always want us to go for gold, but nothing less than a silver

we must know that each person have different physical capabilities and limitations. of cos u can say that if u never test ur limit u will never know ur max. well, how many of us wan to test that limit and risk losing our lives? like those who collapsed trying to clock a better timing in their runs. i rather play safe and stop when i know i cant go any further. just my 2 cents worth

Originally posted by will4:

I have been reading that most of the fatality in IPPT is caused by the 2.4 km run instead of other sation. Any idea?

cos the 2.4km run is the one that really push ur body if u are not well trained for this run.

it involves heavy cardio activities and without proper training and heart problems, you might be lying 6 feet under after tat

Originally posted by casshern:

cos the 2.4km run is the one that really push ur body if u are not well trained for this run.

it involves heavy cardio activities and without proper training and heart problems, you might be lying 6 feet under after tat

How many people actually bother to do their own proper training before complaining?

And if you have heart problems (of cuz if you know it), you wouldn't even be running or doing anything strenuous. If you dunno it, any other exercise (not necessary 2.4) could kill.

If our soldiers are unable to even run 2.4km, what are we to do if a war broke out?

Originally posted by casshern:

i'm on consistant trainings, both running and swimming. but unfortunately i just cant breath properly. anyway my unit always want us to go for gold, but nothing less than a silver

we must know that each person have different physical capabilities and limitations. of cos u can say that if u never test ur limit u will never know ur max. well, how many of us wan to test that limit and risk losing our lives? like those who collapsed trying to clock a better timing in their runs. i rather play safe and stop when i know i cant go any further. just my 2 cents worth

You are making wrong comparisons.

1) How do you know those who collapsed are all trying to clock a better timing? Quite likely that they are not doing so, yet still collapse

2) Play safe and stop when cannot stop, it is obvious. However, there's a reason for using progressive training. You should not wait till a test comes before testing your limit.

Lastly, how are your consistent trainings like? Which trainings helped you increase your VO2 max and strengthen your heart? FYI, it is a scientific fact that most people actually breathe mainly through 1 nostril, with the other nostril taking less air. In addition, during cardio, you could breathe through your mouth too. Finally, if you really had a serious problem, you could always get the MO to downgrade.

Originally posted by googoomuck:

Besidesphysical health, one factor the older boys must consider is their weight. At 18 yo, they might have weighed 60-65 kgs. At 30-45 yo, their weight might have increased to 75-85 kgs - extra 15-18 kgs to carry along.

Not always true ... me and many of my friends .. still in good shape .. in fact much better shape when we were active .. not 37 still doing much better than those in their early twenties ..

my IPPT always top the rest ..