Fact Sheet: Partnering NSmen to Stay Fit

Rationale In partnering our NSmen to stay fit, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) initiated a review on the current National Service (NS) Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) System in early 2010. The revised NS IPPT System recognises the demands of work responsibilities, family commitments and NS duties for our NSmen, and will give greater flexibility for our NSmen to plan their fitness training regime. Leveraging on sports science, the revised NS IPPT System will also provide NSmen with more targeted and progressive training to improve areas which they are weak in and to sustain their fitness levels. These revisions will be implemented from 1 Apr 2011.

Enhanced 9-month IPPT Preparatory Training (IPT) ProgrammeTo provide sustainable and progressive fitness improvement, the current IPT programme will be enhanced from a voluntary 5-week (10 sessions) IPT programme, to a voluntary 9-month programme with customized Personal Performance Targets (PPTs). The enhanced IPT programme will have a flexible booking system over the 9-month period, which allows NSmen to regulate their own fitness regime in tandem with IPT so they can have greater ownership over their own fitness. The PPTs provide intermediate targets to ensure progressive training and help track performance. They are customised to suit different levels of NSmen fitness. NSmen who do not meet the required PPTs will be provided with an additional 8 sessions of fitness training during the last 3 months of their IPPT window to help them improve on their fitness. As part of the enhanced IPT programme, the NSmen will be coached on exercise methods and provided health and fitness education to foster a culture of healthy living and fitness. These topics will cover health and nutrition, exercise principles, preventing and managing sports injuries.

Recalibrated annual NS IPPT - 9 Months for IPPT and 3 Months for Remedial Training The annual IPPT window will be revised from the one-year birthday window for IPPT, to the first 9 months for IPPT and last 3 months for Remedial Training (RT). The revision will enable NSmen to take their IPPT and RT within the same one-year window. This enables NSmen to better sustain their fitness with a consistent training cycle. With this change, more timely assistance can also be provided to the NSmen within the IPPT window.

Desired outcomesThe IPPT remains the SAF's baseline standard for physical fitness. With the revisions, the NS IPPT system will be made more flexible to allow our NSmen to balance their work responsibilities, family commitments and NS duties. NSmen will be provided with progressive, personalised and customised training to help them plan their fitness goals, as well as to achieve incremental improvements in their fitness levels. Overall, these revisions will also seek to motivate NSmen to sustain their fitness levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

More Resources

Opening Statement by Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee on Changes to the NS IPPT System