More stringent IPPT standards to come into effect from 1 April 2015

More stringent IPPT standards to come into effect from 1 April 2015

An IPPT with more stringent standards will come into effect from 1 April 2015.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said in a statement while the points scoring system will remain, there will be new performance standards for the Gold and Silver Awards to challenge fitter servicemen, and an improved scoring table to motivate servicemen to do their best for each station.

A new IPPT format was announced by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to help servicemen take greater ownership of their fitness in Jul 2014.

After a pilot study involving 5000 servicemen and servicewomen of different vocations and age groups, including NSFs, NSmen, Active Servicemen and Servicewomen, SAF found that many of them not only maintained their level of fitness, they were also motivated to do even better than before.

74 per cent achieved average and above average performance at the push-up station when referenced against international standards.

Without the need for specialised training equipment or the use of special techniques, the push-up station allows servicemen to adequately prepare and do well.

For sit-ups and 2.4km run, many servicemen also showed marked improvements. 88 per cent improved or maintained their performance for sit-ups and 73 per cent for the 2.4km run.

NSmen will be given a year from 1 Apr 2015 to continue with the 5-station format or to attempt their IPPT under the 3-station format.

From 1 Mar 2015, a new Physical Training Phase (PTP) exemption criteria for National Service will also be applied for combat fit (i.e. PES A/B1) pre-enlistees when they take their NAPFA test with pushups.

Pre-enlistees will have to achieve 61 points and above to be exempted from PTP. 

cynloh@sph.com.sg

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