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Historical Background
Origin of the CF Physical Fitness Standards
- Fitness has been a primary pillar of life in the Canadian Forces. However, initial fitness programs and evaluations were somewhat arbitrary in their content and presentation. Following evolution in science, technology and Canadian Human Rights, the CF adapted its methods to evaluate the fitness level of its members. Initially the fitness tests were based on a normative referencing approach. It became evident that the CF had to adapt those evaluations, standards and programs to the tasks that CF members may have to perform in case of civilian or military emergencies. The standards, then, took the approach of being task related. 5 common military emergency tasks were scientifically developed as the "Gold Standard" for the CF physical fitness evaluations. Because of the complexity of using the Gold Standard as an annual evaluation for all CF members, the CF EXPRES Program was developed and implemented in 1989 to predict the CF member's capability to perform the military common emergency tasks. The Army, in accordance with their more physically demanding environment, went further than the minimum standards and developed their own task related environmental standard. Furthermore, some CF trades like Fire Fighters, Search and Rescue Technicians, Joint Task Force 2, Parachutists, Pilots and Divers have developed and implemented trade specific physical fitness evaluations.
- The following gives an overview of the Physical Fitness evaluations and physical education initiatives that have been utilized in the Canadian Forces, from the 60's until now.
| NORMATIVE REFERENCING | |
| RCAF Programs 5Bx, XBX (1960's -1970's) | |
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| 1.5 mile run (1972-80) | |
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 BFOR (1978) |
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| Fitness Test Battery (1984) | |
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| Universality of Service Principle |
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| TASK RELATED | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL | GENERAL |
| Occupational Physical Selection Standard OPSS (1980-84) | Basic Military Swimming Standard BMSS (1975-) |
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| Battle Efficiency Test, BET (1985) | CF EXPRES development (1983-88) |
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| Indoor Standardized Obstacle Course ISOC (1986) | CF Minimum Physical Fitness Standards MPFS (1998) |
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| Land Force Command Physical Fitness Standard LFCPFS (1991) | Incentive Program (1991) |
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| Canadian Army Study (1992) | Red Tag Action Team (1995) |
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| Basic Military Qualification, BMQ (2002) | Op Renaissance (1995) |
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| Primary Leadership Qualification, PLQ (2002) | 20 MSR < 35 YOA (1 Apr 96) |
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| Army Fitness Manual (2003) | 20 MSR ≤ 39 YOA (1Jun 97) |
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| 20 MSR all members (6 Jan 99) | |
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| TRADE SPECIFIC | |
| Parachutists (1984) | |
| Pilots (1984) | |
| RMC (1996) | |
| CF Army Cadets (1998) | |
| CF Applicants (1998) | |
| FF PFMP (1998) | |
| SAR Tech (1999) | |
| JTF2 (2000) | |
| Divers (TBA) | |