The Armed forces to some extent have realized that standard PT is not as effective in recreating the rigors of the battlefield. Some “Special Operations components” understand that the old methodology of PT is not effective. The United States Marine Corp has embraced this idea and has started to test its new CFT (Combat Fitness test) at 12 locations ranging from Virgina to Japan. Per General James T. Conway, commandant of the marine Corps, the CFT is intended to keep marines ready for the physical rigors of contemporary combat operations. The test will consist of a 880 yard sprint, lift a 30-pound ammo can overhead from shoulder height repeatedly for two minutes, and perform a maneuver-under-fire event, which is a timed 300-yard shuttle run in which Marines are paired up by size and perform a series of combat-related tasks.This type of test is what we do at Crossfit, think in terms of the 10 components of a well rounded work out. 1- Cardiovascular/respitory endurance 2-stamina 3-strength 4-flexibility 5-power 6-speed 7-coordination 8-agility 9-balance 10- accuracy.
Check out the 2 links below and part 2 of this article the “10 components of physical fitness and how they relate to every day life” to follow.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/04/marine_combatfitness_042008w/
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/06/airforce_crossfit_062208/