Attachment 14 - GCS Physical Readiness Testing Protocols and Standards.docx

Global Canine Services (GCS) IDIQ Contract Attachment 14 - Physical Readiness Testing Protocols & Standards

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

GLOBAL CANINE SERVICES (GCS) IDIQ

ATTACHMENT 14

PHYSICAL READINESS TESTING PROTOCOLS AND STANDARDS

Version: 4/26/2022

Table of Contents

Section 1: Testing Protocols

1.1 Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Procedures

A. The PRT consists of three (3) events conducted in sequence to test muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. The events shall be conducted in the following order, with a minimum five (5) minute up to a thirty (30) minute rest period between events, as demanded by test-site logistics.

First Event: Maximum push-ups completed to standard in two (2) minutes Second Event: Maximum sit-ups completed to standard in two (2) minutes Third Event: 1.5-mile timed run

1.2 Scoring

A. PRT scores will be based on the number of push-ups completed to standard in two (2) minutes, the number of sit-ups completed to standard in two (2) minutes, and the time taken to complete the 1.5-mile run. The quantities and times for each event are assigned a percentage score according to the age and gender of the participant, see Section 2- Age/Gender Indexed Physical Fitness Standards. Proctors will observe for incomplete repetitions and advise participants on the missed criteria.

A. Push-ups shall be performed on a firm, or suitably padded, level surface. Participants are not required to wear shoes. Participants shall begin in the “front-leaning rest” position, with their palms or fists placed on floor directly beneath or only slightly wider than their shoulders. Both of each participant’s feet shall be together on the floor. The primary proctor will lay prone in front of the participant with a clenched fist resting on the surface in a vertical position below the participant’s chest. If the participant is female, the fist will be placed directly below her chin.

1.3.1.2 Performance

A. Push-ups shall be performed as follows:

1. Participants shall begin in the "front-leaning rest” position, with their palms or fists placed on the floor directly beneath or only slightly wider than their shoulders. Both of the participant’s feet shall be together on the floor.

2. Participants’ neck, back, buttocks, and legs shall be straight from head to heels and must remain so throughout test. Participants’ toes and palms/fists shall remain in contact with floor.

3. Participants’ feet shall not be in contact with a wall or other vertical support surface, unless the test is being performed in the mat room of the Interim Training Facility (ITF).

4. To begin the test, the proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” to signal participants to start. Proctor will start the clock on “Go” and will call out fifteen (15) second time intervals until two minutes have elapsed.

5. At the command of “Go,” participants shall lower their entire body as a single unit by bending the elbows until the chest makes contact with the proctor’s fist. The minimum height of the proctor’s fist shall be no less than three (3) inches. Male participants will touch chest to fist. Female participants will touch chin to fist.

6. Immediately upon making contact with the proctor’s fist, participants shall return to the starting position by extending their elbows and raising their body as a single unit until the arms are fully extended at lock-out.

7. One repetition will be counted each time the arms are fully extended after touching the proctor’s fist.

8. Once the test has begun, participants may rest only in the front-leaning rest position with arms extended. Participants will maintain arms, neck, back, buttocks, and legs in a straight position. Participants may briefly move into an arch/downward dog position to stretch but must return completely to the front-leaning rest position before resuming movement.

1.3.1.3 Proctor Instructions

A. The proctors shall perform the following:

1. The primary proctor will lay prone in front of the participant with a clenched fist resting on the surface in a vertical position below the participant’s chest. If the participant is female, the fist will be placed directly below her chin.

2. The primary proctor will count each completed repetition out loud.

3. If a repetition does not meet the criteria to be counted, the proctor will repeat the number of the last completed repetition.

4. If a participant asks why the repetition wasn’t counted, the proctor should provide appropriate feedback, without losing count of completed repetitions. If a proctor observes three sequential incomplete reps, he or she should advise the participant of the correction(s) needed.

5. The secondary proctors will observe participants for faults during the test. If the secondary proctors hear repetitions that are not being completed, they should observe the appropriate participant and advise on faults that need to be corrected.

1.3.1.4 Test Termination

A. The test will terminate under any of the following conditions:

1. After the passage of two minutes

2. If the participant touches the floor/ground with any part of the body other than the hands and feet

3. If the participant raises one or both hands or feet off the floor/ground

4. If the participant rotates the body to the left or right B. If the test terminates before two minutes have elapsed, the result shall be the number of push-ups properly performed at time of termination.

1.3.1.5 Post-Test Rest Period

A. At the conclusion of the test, a rest period of at least five (5) minutes, and up to thirty (30) minutes, will be allowed prior to the start of the next event, as demanded by test site logistics.

A. Sit-ups shall be performed on a suitably padded, level surface. Participants are not required to wear shoes. Participants shall start by lying flat on their back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor/ground. Participants’ heels will be positioned so that the knees are bent ninety (90) degrees. Participants’ arms shall be folded across the chest, with the arms touching each other and the bottom arm in contact with the chest. Participants’ hands will touch their upper chest or shoulders. The primary proctors shall anchor their participant’s feet to the floor/ground by sitting upon the feet of the participant.

1.3.2.2 Performance

A. Push-ups shall be performed as follows:

1. Participants shall start by lying flat on their backs with knees bent and feet flat on the floor/ground. Participants’ heels will be positioned so that the knees are bent ninety (90) degrees. The buttocks will remain in contact with the floor/ground at all times during the test.

2. Participants’ arms shall be folded across the chest, with the arms touching each other and the bottom arm in contact with the chest. Participants’ hands will touch the upper chest or shoulders.

3. The primary proctors shall anchor their participant’s feet to the floor/ground by sitting upon the feet of the participant.

4. To begin the test, the proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” to signal participants to start. Proctor will start the clock on “Go” and will call out fifteen (15) second time intervals until two minutes have elapsed.

5. At the command of “Go,” participants shall curl their bodies up and touch their elbows to the bottom of the thighs. Participant must keep their hands in contact with their chest, shoulders, or upper arms at all times.

6. After touching the elbows to the bottom of the thighs, participants will lie back, touching the small of the back to the floor/ground. Participants may touch their shoulders to the floor/ground without penalty.

7. One repetition shall be counted each time the participant touches the thighs after making contact with the floor/ground with the lower back.

8. Participants may rest in the down position with their back on the floor/ground. There is no limit to length of rest other than the time limit of the test.

9. Sit-ups are repeated correctly as many times as possible in two minutes. Primary proctors will monitor participants for correct form and count the number of correctly performed sit-ups out loud. Incorrectly performed sit-ups shall not be counted.

10. Proctor will conclude the test by counting down the last three seconds out loud and issuing the command to stop in the following manner: “3,2,1, Time, Stop.”

1.3.2.3 Proctor Instructions

A. The proctors shall perform the following:

1. The primary proctors shall anchor their participant’s feet to the floor/ground with by sitting upon the feet of their participant.

2. The primary proctors will count each completed repetition out loud.

3. If a repetition does not meet the criteria to be counted, the proctor will repeat the number of the last completed repetition.

4. If a participant asks why the repetition wasn’t counted, the proctor should provide appropriate feedback, without losing count of completed repetitions. If the proctor observes three sequential incomplete reps, he or she should advise the participant of the correction(s) needed.

5. The secondary proctors will observe participants for faults during the test. If the secondary proctors hear repetitions that are not being completed, they should observe the appropriate participant and advise on faults that need to be corrected.

1.3.2.4 Test Termination

A. The test will terminate under any of the following conditions:

1. After the passage of two minutes

2. If the participant lowers the legs

3. If the participant raises the feet off the ground or floor B. If test terminates before two minutes have elapsed, the result shall be the number of sit-ups properly performed at time of termination.

1.3.2.5 Post-Test Rest Period

A. At the conclusion of the test, a rest period of at least five (5) minutes, and up to thirty (30) minutes, will be allowed prior to the start of the next event, as demanded by test site logistics.

A. The test shall be conducted on a track or outdoor course with a reasonably flat surface as designated by testing staff. The course should be free of steep inclines and declines, surface irregularities and sharp turns. If the test is not taking place on a measured track, the course shall be measured with a measuring wheel. No other method is approved.

B. If an approved running surface is not available due to local conditions, the test may be conducted on a treadmill set at a grade of 1.0.

1.3.3.2 Performance

A. The 1.5-mile run shall be conducted on a track or outdoor course as follows:

1. Participants shall stand at the designated start line

2. To begin the test, the proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” to signal participants to start. Proctor will start the clock on “Go” and will call out lap or split times depending on the course

3. At the command of “Go,” participants shall begin running. Participants will complete the prescribed 1.5-mile course B. The 1.5-mile run shall be conducted on a treadmill as follows:

1. Participants straddle the treadmill belt with treadmill inclination set to 1.0 percent.

2. To begin the test, the proctor will use the command “On your mark. Get set. Go.” to signal participants to start. proctor will start the clock on “Go” and will call out time intervals every .25 mile until the test is completed.

3. At the command of “Go,” participants shall start the treadmill at their desired speed. Participants will run 1.5 miles.

4. Time is recorded to the nearest second with a stopwatch.

5. Treadmill speed may be adjusted by the participants anytime during test. Only a participant may adjust treadmill speed unless there is a threat to the health of the participant.

6. Touching the treadmill bar with fingertips or open palm to recover balance is acceptable.

1.3.3.3 Proctor Instructions

A. The proctors shall perform the following:

1. Proctor will establish a measured 1.5-mile course on a track or outdoors on a reasonably flat surface.

2. Proctor will start the stopwatch at the command of “Go.”

3. Proctor will provide lap or split times, as applicable to the particular course being utilized.

4. Proctor will conclude the test after all participants have completed the 1.5-mile course/elapsed treadmill distance or have otherwise ceased participation.

1.3.3.4 Test Termination

A. The test will terminate under any of the following conditions:

1. After the participants complete the 1.5-mile course or elapsed treadmill distance

2. If the participants support their body weight using their arms, hands, torso, or any other object

3. If the proctor determines a risk to the health or safety of a participant exists

4. If the participants change the treadmill inclination from 1.0 percent

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