The Cadet Challenge is a series of events of execrise that we have complete
By completing the challenge at a 50th percentile rating or better of the five events will allow you the opportunity to achieve the Physical Fittness award. If you score in the 85th percent rating or better you can receive an even higher award. "The Cadet Challenge" is made up of 5 events; curl-ups, pull-ups, v-sit reach, one mile run/walk, and the shuttle run.
Curl-ups: Conduct this event on a flat, clean surface, preferable with a mat. Start cadets in a lying position on their backs with their knees up so their feet are flat on the floor and about 12 inches from their buttocks. Cadets should have their arms crossed with their hands placed flat on opposite shoulders and theirs elbows held close to the chest throughout the exercise. The feet are to be held by a partner at the instep. At the command "ready, go," cadets raise the trunks of theirs bodies curling up to touch the elbows to the thighs. They most then lower their backs so that their shoulder blades touch the floor/mat. This constitutes one repetition of a curl-up. During each repetition, bouncing off the floor/mat is not allowed and the fingers must touch the shoulders at all times. Cadets must try to complete as many curl-ups as possible in 60 seconds.
Pull-ups: Conducted this event using a horizontal bar approximately one and one-half inches in diameter. A doorway bar or a piece of pipe can serve the purpose. The bar should be high enough so that cadets hang with their arms fully extended and their feet of the floor/ground. Have cadets assume the hanging position on the bar using either an overhand grasp (palms facing away from the body) or underhand grip (palms facing toward the body). Cadets begin the exercise by first raising their body until the chin is over the bar without touching it. To complete one repetition, the body must be lowered to the full starting position. During each repetition, the body must not swing, legs must not kick or bend, and the pull must not be jerky. For cadets who cannot accomplish one-pull-up, have them do the flexed-arm hang as an alternative event.
V-sit Reach: Conduct this event on a flat, clean floor. Use a yardstick and adhesive tape to make a baseline that is two feet long. Make a measuring line perpendicular to the midpoint of the baseline extending two feet out from either side of the baseline. Place one-inch and half-inch marks along the measuring line with "0" where the baseline and measuring line intersect. Have cadets remove their shoes and sit on the floor with the soles of their feet placed immediately behind the baseline, The measuring line should be between their heels, which should be 8 to 12 inches apart. Cadets must clasp their thumbs so that their hands are together, palms down, and place them on the floor between their legs. While their legs are held flat on the floor by a partner (or partners), cadets performing the exercise keep the soles of theirs feet perpendicular to the floor (feet flexed) and slowly reach forward along the measuring line as far as possible keeping the cadets fingers in contact with the floor. Cadets receive three practice tries for the v-sit reach. On the fourth extension, cadets must hold their farthest reach for three seconds. Scores are recorded where fingertips touch the floor to the nearest half-inch. Scores beyond the baseline are recorded as plus scores, whereas those behind the baseline are recorded as minus scores.
One -Mile Run/Walk: Conduct this event on a flat area that has a known measured distance of one mile with a designated start and finish line. Give cadets a lightweight numbered device to carry or wear in any manner that will not slow them down while running. (Note: Use of the numbered device makes it possible to have many cadets run at one time by having them pair off before the start of the event, then having one cadet from each pair run while the other cadet keeps track of the number of laps their partners complete as well as listening for their times as they cross the finish line.)Start cadets at the same starting positon. At the command "ready, go," start running the one-mile distance. Although walking is permitted, encourage cadets to cover the distance in the shortest time possible. Scoring should be to the nearest second.
Shuttle Run: Conduct this event on an area that has two parallel lines 30 feet apart. The width of a regulation volleyball court can serve as a suitable area. Start the cadets at the standing position. At the command "ready, go," have the cadets run to the opposite line, pick up one block, run back to the starting line, and place the block behind the line. Cadets then run back and pick up the second block, which they carry across the line. Two runs are allowed for this event with the better of the runs recorded. Scoring should be to the nearest tenth of a second.