Systematic review of physical fitness testing to evaluate the physical combat readiness of Royal Thai Armed Forces.
Physical combat readiness of military personnel ensures maximal effectiveness of combat forces during wartime. Combat readiness has always been linked to the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Each raw score is converted to a standard score and corrected for age and gender. There is no standard measurement to evaluate combat readiness in the Royal Thai Army. To determine standardized criteria for physical combat readiness of Royal Thai Army personnel through systematic review, the APFT was used to determine fitness levels and to promote health. To pass the test, each soldier in each unit must attain a minimal standard score for each individual subtest. At present, each unit in the armed forces derives its own standard, based on different missions. The APFT might be an acceptable method to measure physical combat readiness. However, no studies have established the general measurements to evaluate combat readiness.
Panichkul
Suthee
S
Department of Military and Community Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
Hatthachote
Panadda
P
Napradit
Phunphen
P
Khunphasee
Arom
A
Nathalang
Oytip
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D010679:Philippines; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013785:Thailand; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare