Starfleet Physical Fitness Standards

[Sgt_G]

I would presume that the standards are adjusted to fit the species of the crewman, with some basic minimums for all personnel regardless of species. Let's say there is a species who can typically run a three-minute mile, whereas the human record stands at four minutes (or just under). Human fitness standard say you must be able to run an eight-minute mile to pass the test, but members in this species need to run a six-minute mile. On the other hand, a species who typically can't run a full mile before dropping over, few of them could even join the service and only if they can run a twelve-minute mile. Does that make sense to anyone else?

 

[2takesfrakes]

It makes sense that STARFLEET would have to make allowances for different alien species, up to a point. But even amongst Humans standards don't seem universal. For example, and I could possibly be mistaken about this: but haven't I seen some rather elderly ensigns, at times and other lower-ranking officers?

On TNG, for instance, I've seen some no-name bridge officers who were, perhaps in their 50's? At most, they'd be allowed an "aye, sir," so, it's not like we got to know who they were. And very few were repeat extras. But they were both male and female and appeared to be fit, to me. At the same time, the Physical Standards used on them can NOT be those used on an 18 year old. It can't happen - it's completely unbelievable ...

 

[FormerLurker]

Part of that may depend on when they decided to join. By the 23rd or 24th century, the standards may have changed, and there is no maximum age at which one may join Starfleet (I think the maximum for volunteers in the US is around 30), and from there you take what promotions you earn and so forth. If you can match the necessary minimum requirements for physical and mental fitness, why wouldn't a progressive military let you join?

 

[Spot261]

It makes sense that STARFLEET would have to make allowances for different alien species, up to a point. But even amongst Humans standards don't seem universal. For example, and I could possibly be mistaken about this: but haven't I seen some rather elderly ensigns, at times and other lower-ranking officers?

On TNG, for instance, I've seen some no-name bridge officers who were, perhaps in their 50's? At most, they'd be allowed an "aye, sir," so, it's not like we got to know who they were. And very few were repeat extras. But they were both male and female and appeared to be fit, to me. At the same time, the Physical Standards used on them can NOT be those used on an 18 year old. It can't happen - it's completely unbelievable ...

I don't know, if the physical standards required an absolute peak of human capacity then it would be unfair.

If the standards merely required people to be safe in zero g or high gravity enviroments, to wear a space suit, to respond in good order to red alerts, to complete the basic hand to hand/self defence training, etc then why not?

 

[2takesfrakes]

See ... this is why the STARFLEET is non-military argument has to hold up ... and win out. On the one hand, these people are meant to have a rigid chain of command structure involving rank and insignia. On the other hand, we - the audience - are meant to be inspired by the fact that this organisation is so IDIC in composition that we can easily envision ourselves in it ... just as we are.

If all that was found in The Void was goodness and sweet wholesomeness, then yeah, it's like, "physical fitness? What's that?" But the drama ... the struggle ... the dangers that the show MUST have to be interesting throw a spanner in the works. There appears to be no resolving this STAR TREKKIAN paradox other than to say, "... it's only the movies!"

 

[Nyotarules]

I don't know ... the crew were playing basketball, one time, in the cargo bay and Phlox was just standing around, like he simply didn't have the gumption. Like his Get Up & Go ... Got Up & Went. They'd toss him the ball once or twice, to mark their annoyance at him, but he never exhibited any degree of special physicality.

Maybe he thought what a stupid human game lol

 

[Nyotarules]

Part of that may depend on when they decided to join. By the 23rd or 24th century, the standards may have changed, and there is no maximum age at which one may join Starfleet (I think the maximum for volunteers in the US is around 30), and from there you take what promotions you earn and so forth. If you can match the necessary minimum requirements for physical and mental fitness, why wouldn't a progressive military let you join?

In the ST universe humans can live to 130 plus so you're not consider middle age until you reach 65 or so. In that case joining at 40 and above would be nothing and maybe in that capacity you are restricted to crewman duties and not officer duties.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Maybe he thought what a stupid human game lol

Indeed! In the VERY deed ... Even with sacred STAR TREK canon, things are not necessarily canon. We're free to put a spin on everything we see and hear within each and every show, as this is one of the many pleasures this franchise offers.

 

[2takesfrakes]

In the ST universe humans can to 130 plus so you're not consider middle age until you reach 65 or so. In that case joining at 40 and above would be nothing and maybe in that capacity you are restricted to crewman duties and not officer duties.

This possibility has merit ... and holds promise.

 

[ElScoob]

I was thinking about this question not long ago. The missus and I have been rewatching TNG, and when "The Loss" came up I took note of Ensign Brooks:
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Janet_Brooks
Her late husband was said to be 38 when he died, and she clearly seemed to be at least roughly his contemporary (the actress playing her was in fact about 41 at the time). And she's an ensign? It seems that there are three possibilities: she's been an ensign for almost 20 years (beating Harry Kim's record by a mile), she entered the service as an enlisted person and eventually got some kind of 'mustang'/ limited duty officer type commission after years of service, or she entered the service later in life. I feel like the latter two possibilities are more likely. And it seems like the third one fits nicely with the TNG era's 'we work to better ourselves' ethos. Maybe one day she just got bored with her job and up and decided to join Starfleet, perhaps qualifying for a commission due to having a degree and/or years of experience in her particular field. Since she's in red, one wonders what field that may be--were she in another color, you could imagine she was a scientist or medical professional or an engineer or something. Perhaps she's in some legal or administrative position....

Still, an interesting notion, and one built into Star Trek's DNA from early on (basically Bones assumed back story, reinforced by the 2009 film). With longer human lifespans, it would certainly seem to follow that people could enter Starfleet into their 30s and beyond. (And to keep from derailing the thread too far, one supposes that a reasonable physical capability to perform one's duties is a requirement.)

--g

 

[USS Triumphant]

Question #1 on the Starfleet Physical Fitness Exam asks if you were involved in any of several incidents that saved the Earth or another founding Federation world or the entire freaking universe. If you can honestly answer 'yes', you pass the exam.

It's like that thing in "Armageddon" where they don't have to pay taxes anymore.

 

[Nyotarules]

^ Also add - Do not pass Go, Go and collect your £200 and your Captain's stripes!

 

[2takesfrakes]

Question #1 on the Starfleet Physical Fitness Exam asks if you were involved in any of several incidents that saved the Earth or another founding Federation world or the entire freaking universe. If you can honestly answer 'yes', you pass the exam.

It's like that thing in "Armageddon" where they don't have to pay taxes anymore.

Waivers, yes, of course ... there's going to be plenty of those in STARFLEET, are there not? Saving the Universe did, after all, promote James T. Kirk to his first Captaincy. We all saw that. At the same time ... isn't that rather akin to having a pencil-necked geek waivered into the Fire Dept.? Has that really done anybody any favours? And who will be called upon to save the arse of those waivered? Those who took the test the right way and passed, as required!

>: /

 

[The Old Mixer]

On the other hand, we - the audience - are meant to be inspired by the fact that this organisation is so IDIC in composition that we can easily envision ourselves in it ... just as we are.

Really? I think Picard would kick us all off the ship.

 

[Nerys Myk]

See ... this is why the STARFLEET is non-military argument has to hold up ... and win out. On the one hand, these people are meant to have a rigid chain of command structure involving rank and insignia. On the other hand, we - the audience - are meant to be inspired by the fact that this organisation is so IDIC in composition that we can easily envision ourselves in it ... just as we are.

We are? I didn't get that memo.

If all that was found in The Void was goodness and sweet wholesomeness, then yeah, it's like, "physical fitness? What's that?" But the drama ... the struggle ... the dangers that the show MUST have to be interesting throw a spanner in the works. There appears to be no resolving this STAR TREKKIAN paradox other than to say, "... it's only the movies!"

Yup.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Really? I think Picard would kick us all off the ship.

Evidently, he hit the gym - so he could! He's probably the only Captain in STAR TREK who consistently kept fit. On the other hand, he had more definition than bulk, really ...

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Really? I think Picard would kick us all off the ship.

Well, that depends. Has anyone ever audited all the redshirt (or in Picard's case, yellowshirt) deaths by apparent age and fitness? Does it appear to support the "survival of the fittest" hypothesis?

 

[The Old Mixer]

Not over fitness, because we're all nasty-ass, unevolved early 21st-century humans--He hates us!

 

[dswynne1]

I remember the fight scene between Kruge and Kirk in TSFS, when the Genesis planet was falling apart. Kirk did a backflip while kicking the Klingon in the jaw. If Kirk could do that as old as he was, Starfleet's physical fitness program must be intense.

 

[Kor]

I remember the fight scene between Kruge and Kirk in TSFS, when the Genesis planet was falling apart. Kirk did a backflip while kicking the Klingon in the jaw. If Kirk could do that as old as he was, Starfleet's physical fitness program must be intense.

Kruge flipped him backwards.

See 0:52 here:

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Kor