The Navy Physical Readiness Test consist of three specific events: push-ups, planks, and a cardio event. The cardio event for the PRT are a run for most individual, but the Navy also allows for alternate cardio events to be used instead. These alternate cardio events includes the stationary bike, the rowing machine, and the pool.
Each of these events can be used in place of the run if the individual dont wish to run for their test. However, each of these alternate events have a specific way in which they are scored for the test. The score for the Navy PRT is based off both the age and sex of the service member.
Navy PRT Cardio Options and How They Are Scored
The Navy use twelve different age bands to determine the score for each individual taking the test. Each age band has its own scoring table for the PRT, as well as separate scoring tables for men and women. Each event on the Navy PRT must score at least 45 points for the individual to pass that specific portion of the test.
If an individual fail to earn at least 45 points for any one of the three events, that individual will fail the entire Navy PRT. The score for the Navy PRT is calculated as the average of each of the three events: push-ups, planks, and the cardio event. Using an alternate cardio event will only help the individual with their average score if their score for the push-ups and planks events are at least the minimum 45 points require for each event.
For instance, an individual may score very well on the alternate cardio event, but if their plank score is less than 45 points, they will fail the Navy PRT. Each of the alternate cardio events have specific rules for those events. For instance, if an individual choose to use the rowing machine, they will be scored on the time that it takes for the individual to row 2,000 meter.
Additionally, if an individual choose to use the pool, they must either swim 500 yards in a yard sized pool or 450 meters in a metric pool, and ensure that the type of pool that is being used match with the distance that is recorded for that individual. If a person choose to use the stationary bike for the Navy PRT, that person will be scored according to the number of calories burn. The number of calories, however, is dependent upon the brand of the bike console that is used.
Because each brand of bike console may output a different number of calories for the same exercise routine, the person must use the bike models that is recognized by the Navy. For the Navy PRT, an individual should focus training efforts on their weakest event within the PRT. For instance, if an individual has a low score for their score in the number of push-ups that they completed, using the alternate cardio exercise will improve their average score for the Navy PRT; however, they must still continue to perform push-ups to ensure that their score is above 45 points for the Navy PRT.
Additionally, if an individual decides to use the rowing machine for the Navy PRT, their focus should be upon their score in the rowing machine exercise because that score are dependent upon the elapsed time that it takes for the individual to complete the rowing machine exercise. Furthermore, if an individual chooses to use the pool to perform the Navy PRT exercise, they should focus upon their efficiency in swimming because a higher swimming efficiency will allow them to achieve a faster time in the Navy PRT. Finally, if an individual choose the stationary bike for the Navy PRT, they should become familiar with the specific bike console that they will use to calculate the number of calories that will be used to score that individual for that portion of the Navy PRT.
Many individual will make mistakes during the Navy PRT if they are not careful to follow the rules regarding the measurements of each event within the Navy PRT. For instance, using the wrong bike console will result in fewer points being earned than that individual may have otherwise earned. Additionally, swimming the wrong distance in the pool will invalidate that individual’s score for that portion of the Navy PRT.
To avoid invalidating an individual’s score for the Navy PRT, they should practice each of the events in environments that are similar to those that will be performed during the Navy PRT. Additionally, individuals should track their scores for each of the three types of push-ups, planks, and the score for their chosen cardio exercise to monitor their score for each category. Finally, the PRIMS system must log each score for each category to verify that individual’s Navy PRT scores.
