Definition: Physical Fitness Test

A physical fitness test is a test designed to measure physical strength, agility, and endurance. They are commonly employed in educational institutions as part of the physical education curriculum, in medicine as part of diagnostic testing, and as eligibility requirements in fields that focus on physical ability such as military or police.

Throughout the 20th century, scientific evidence emerged demonstrating the usefulness of strength training and aerobic exercise in maintaining overall health, and more agencies began to incorporate standardized fitness testing. In the United States, the President's Council on Youth Fitness was established in 1956 as a way to encourage and monitor fitness in schoolchildren.

Notable tests

• Singapore's NPFAS; see National Physical Fitness Award
• United States military
o Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), a test in the U.S. Army
o United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, a test in the U.S. Marine Corps
o Physical Readiness Test, a test in the U.S. Navy
• Work Capacity Test, a test for firefighters

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