Minimum Physical Fitness Standards 1988

The Canadian Armed Forces developed a Minimum Physical Fitness Standard (MPFS) for all military personnel, regardless of trade classification, age or gender. Extensive research provided 5 Common Military Tasks, which all personnel might be expected to perform in time of emergency. This rationale was used as the basis to establish Bona Fide Occupational Requirements (BFOR) in compliance with the Charter of Human Rights.

5 Common Tasks consist of:

1. Sea evacuation.

   Aim: Simulate casualty evacuation during a fire on board a ship.
   Men and women under 35: 210 seconds
   Men and women 35 and above: 277 seconds

2. Land stretcher evacuation.

   Aim: Simulate a land evacuation of a casualty on a stretcher over a distance of 750m.
   Men and women under 35: 900 seconds
   Men and women 35 and above: 1188 seconds

3. Low-high crawl.

   Aim: Simulate conditions of self-protection when moving in front of enemy fire.
   Men and women under 35: 140 seconds
   Men and women 35 and above: 185 seconds

4. Entrenchment dig.

   Aim: Simulate self-protection in face of enemy fire by digging an entrenchment.
   Men and women under 35: 510 seconds
   Men and women 35 and above: 673 seconds

5. Sandbag carry.

   Aim: Simulate self protection or protection of others from natural elements.
   Men and women under 35: 12 sandbags in 10 minutes
   Men and women 35 and above: 9 sandbags in 10 minutes

The MPFS for the Canadian Forces was developed as a series of fitness protocols that were chosen based on their ability to predict CF members aptitude to complete the 5 Common Military Tasks. By completing the predictive fitness protocols to the standards listed in the chart below, the CF member has accurately demonstrated that they have the fitness levels necessary to complete the 5 Common Tasks.

CF EXPRES Evaluation

The CF EXPRES evaluation is a fitness test, which predicts the member's ability to meet the 5 common military tasks. The evaluation is administered to all CF members except those subject to special Command (LFCPFS) or task specific unit evaluations (i.e. JTF2, SAR Tech, and Fire Fighter). The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the relative overall fitness level of the member in order to provide exercise programs.

1. The three components of the CF EXPRES program are as follows:
   • Health Appraisal and Physical Fitness Evaluation. The Health Appraisal Questionnaires used are the Q-APP and the CPAFLA Healthy Physical Activity Participation Questionnaire. The CF EXPRES evaluation consist of 4 test items:
     • 20 Metre Shuttle Run (MSR) or modified CAFT (mCAFT) to predict maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max);
     • Handgrip dynamometer to predict muscular strength;
     • Push-ups to predict upper body muscular endurance; and
     • Sit-ups to predict abdominal muscular endurance.
   • Exercise Prescription. Based on the health appraisal and physical fitness evaluation, each member shall be provided with an exercise program, including the frequency, intensity, time, and types of activities.
   • Exercise Participation. Each member, when not participating regularly in a recognized unit physical fitness program, shall participate in a directly supervised or self-supervised exercise program.

1. Water safety knowledge: consists of review of first aid, CPR and choking emergency procedures and includes review of the procedures for safety and control of swimming while members are on military operations:
   
   • Swimming areas available are examined for sanitary considerations and hazardous conditions and the most suitable selected and defined;
   • All personnel are briefed on water safety procedures and special dangers of the area;
   • Surveillance patrols are established using qualified personnel where practicable;
   • Reaching, throwing and towing aids are available or improvised;
   • A boat patrol is established for deep-water swimming;
   • The buddy system is used with checks at not less than 15-minute intervals; and
   • An emergency communication system and transportation shall be available on-site.
2. "Abandon ship" emergencies: Simulate ship evacuation
3. Rudimentary swimming skills: demonstrate ability to survive during an aquatic emergency