Physical fitness is fostered, and an active lifestyle is promoted in the Defence Forces to ensure that their members are in good shape for performing their duties in peacetime and wartime. A physical fitness test is used to assess the personnel’s fitness level. The test consists of three parts: push-ups in a front plank position for two minutes, sit-ups for two minutes, and a timed 3200 m run. The maximum number of points that can be awarded for each part is 100, which makes 300 for the three parts, and one needs to get a total of 180 points to pass the test. The test-taker’s age and sex are taken into account, too.
Twenty-nine people in total took the test today at Audentes Stadium, 11 of whom scored the maximum possible number of points, which is 300: a member of the Parliament and two-time Olympic winner Jüri Jaanson, ambassadors of the Week of Sport Saskia Alusalu and Hannes Hermaküla, Chief of the Training Department of the General Staff of the Defence Forces, Colonel Mati Tikerpuu, Second Lieutenant Anna-Mariita Mattiisen, Justin Roberts and Dan Morgans representing the allied forces, an adviser to the Ministry of Culture, Jarko Koort, and coaches Katrena Tenno and Andra Moistus.
The Commander of the Defence Forces, lieutenant general Martin Herem, who has taken the fitness test during the Week of Sport or the third year in a row, thanked the Estonian Olympic Committee for the organisation of the event. “Health is our common asset, and I am glad that the NOC is the initiator of such a great undertaking during the Week of Sport. I would also like to thank all the participants for setting an example. To me, too, because you motivate me to do a workout tomorrow,” said Herem, who scored 288 points.
Ambassadors of the Week of Sport Saskia Alusalu and Hannes Hermaküla said that working toward a common goal was a special experience. “When you see Saskia Alusalu and Kristina Šmigun-Vähi passing you on the track, emotions run high,” Hermaküla laughs. “I remember Raivo E. Tamm scared me by saying certain target points need to be scored here just before the test. I was worried about the running part, but I managed that one, too!”
Saskia Alusalu, who scored 300 points, was tested twice on that day as she went on to sit an exam after the NATO fitness test. “I must admit this was the first time after ending my professional career as an athlete that I really made an effort. I even followed numbers in the table with my finger to make sure I got 300 points. Of course, I’m happy!” said Alusalu.
During the European Week of Sport held between 23 and 30 September, more than 1100 sporting events took place in Estonia with a view to providing as many local people as possible with positive fitness-related impressions and experiences. The Week of Sport in Estonia has been organized by the NOC for seven years now. More information can be found at www.spordinadal.ee.
The Week of Sport in Estonia is organized by the Estonian Olympic Committee in collaboration with the association “Sport Kõigile” [Sports for All]. The organization of the Week of Sport is supported by the Erasmus+ program, the Ministry of Culture and Coop Eesti.