PERSONNEL SUPPORT BRIEF - NFF

BRIEF 14
ROYAL NAVY FITNESS TEST
Key Points:
• Gradual Introduction of the RNFT for all personnel up to age 55
• Introduction of the Declaration and Health Questionnaire (DHQ) for
personnel aged 40 or over
• Introduction of the Armed Forces Weight Management Policy for RNFT
failures
• Changes to medical referral criteria for RNFT failures
• RNFT provision by Tri-Service Physical Trainers
• From Jun 10 the RNFT will apply to all serving RN personnel under the age of 55. This
will be implemented in staged increments, starting with those who are 50 on or after 1
Jun 10. Therefore, personnel who reach the age 50 from 1 Jun 10 onwards will continue
to be eligible for the RNFT until they reach age 55. Personnel over the age of 50 are
strongly encouraged to undertake the Rockport Walk as this test minimises the risk of
musculoskeletal injury and/or cardiac injury. Personnel over 50, who regularly undertake
rigorous physical exercise and have no medical concerns, may request, as a personal
decision, to undertake a maximal test (ie 2.4Km run or MSFT). However, they must be
made fully aware that exercise at high intensities (maximal or close maximal) particularly
in the older age groups increases the risk of a cardiovascular event. Personnel who are
already in the 50-55 age groups will remain subject to the current policy and will continue
to be exempt from compulsory RNFT. They are nevertheless encouraged to maintain a
lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and to undertake the RNFT voluntarily.
• The Defence Health Questionnaire (DHQ) is a basic medical screening aid to identify
those who may be potentially at risk and to allow them to seek medical advice on
eligibility without sharing confidential medical information with PT or other staff
inappropriately – All personnel of 40 years of age or over will be required to complete
and sign the DHQ before taking the RNFT.
• The Armed Forces Weight Management Policy came into effect on 1 Oct 09 and has been
introduced as part of the Defence Health Strategy. The policy centres on three main
areas: weight measurement, management and prevention. This policy will be gradually
implemented in the RN starting with RNFT failures from 1 Jan 10. After this date all
personnel who fail the RNFT are to be measured and corresponding action taken in
accordance with the Naval Service Weight Management protocols.
• Automatic referral to the Medical Officer (MO) after the first RNFT failure is no longer
necessary unless there is a particular medical concern or the Body Mass Composition
index indicates that the individual requires medical intervention. Automatic referral
must be undertaken if the individual continues to fail the RNFT after the first Remedial
Training (RT) package (ie at the 3 month point). PT Staff/Medical Staff are to ensure that
the medical assessment (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, peak expiry
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