The National Physical Fitness Award Scheme (NAPFA) is a test of physical fitness for Singaporeans as part of Singapore's Sports For Life programme. NAPFA was launched in January 1982 as a standardised assessment of overall fitness for the general population and to stimulate interest in physical fitness.^[1]

Schools within Singapore's primary and secondary education system are required to participate in NAPFA award tests each year, in April for secondary schools and in August for primary schools respectively. It is one of the three criteria for banding for the Trim and Fit (TAF) Awards, other than the fitness index and the percentage of overweight students. Singaporeans studying within Singapore's tertiary education system, or those who have graduated from the education system are not required to participate, but are strongly encouraged to do so.

Despite the requirement for mandatory participation, failing to achieve at least a passing grade (E) usually does not carry any academic consequences for primary and secondary school students, although students are still strongly encouraged to pass. Exceptions include sports-based schools such as the Singapore Sports School, and might yield non-academic consequences, such as the requirement to further retake the tests or the required participation in the Trim and Fit programme.

A minimum of a silver grade allows Singaporean males who have reached the age of 18 to perform just two months of Basic Military Training (BMT) in their National Service (NS) period, instead of the usual three if the silver grade is not attained.^[2] In addition, medically fit servicemen who have attained a silver grade enjoy a further one-month exemption at the end of their full-time NS period.^[3]

According to data from the Ministry of Education, the percentage of students passing NAPFA has been increasing steadily over the years, from 58% in 1992 to 74% in 1998, and further to 80% in 2007.^[4]

[edit] Testing

NAPFA involves a series of five stations and a 2.4-km Walk-Run (1.5-mile Walk-Run) for secondary school students or a 1.6-km Walk-Run for primary school students. All of the station tests are attempted on the same day, with a 2–5 minute rest period permitted between stations. Under certain circumstances, the Walk-Run item may be attempted on a different day, although sometimes a 2-week window limit is set.

The test items are:

1. Sit-ups: Maximum in one minute
2. Standing Broad Jump: Better of two distances
3. Sit and Reach: Better of two attempts with floating zero point
4. • Pull-ups (for males 15 years and above only): Maximum in half-a-minute
   • Inclined Pull-ups (for all females, and males up to the age of 14): Maximum in half-a-minute
5. Shuttle Run: Faster of two 4×10 metre attempts
6. 2.4-km/1.6-km Walk-Run: Minimum time on firm and level surface

Performances are then compared to a chart and the grades from A to F for each test item. A constitutes excellent performance and E constitutes barely passing. An F grade is an alternate term that the participant has failed that section.

The awards are:

Bronze Award Requirements

• At least an E grade performance in all 6 test items AND
• A total of 6 or more points

Silver Award Requirements

• At least a D grade performance in all 6 test items AND
• A total of 15 or more points

Gold Award Requirements

• At least a C grade performance in all 6 test items AND
• A total of 21 or more points

The 'and' cannot be misinterpreted as an 'or'; no matter how high the candidate's other grades are, his/her award will be determined by his/her lowest grade. For example, if someone scores five As and one F, that person will still fail his/her NAPFA test despite the fact that he/she performed excellently in all the other stations.

[edit] References

1. ^ Teo, Cheng Wee (2007-03-18), "Unfit", The Straits Times: L6 
2. ^ Ministry of Defence, Singapore (2008), iPrepNS: NAPFA Test, http://iprep.ns.sg/napfa-test.html, retrieved 2008-08-15 
3. ^ Teo, Chee Hean (2004-06-16), "Why NS stint can be shorter ...", The Straits Times: H2 
4. ^ Tan, Judith (2008-07-01), "Today's NSmen – more fit but less tough?", The Straits Times: 1–2 

[edit] External links

• Singapore Sports Council Official Website
• Singapore Ministry of Education Press Release: The Trim and Fit and MINDEF Physical Fitness Performance Awards 2004

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