Set the start
Stand behind the takeoff line with both feet on the marked surface.
OPAT / Events
2026 Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) Events
The 2026 Occupational Physical Assessment Test consists of four events: Standing Long Jump (SLJ), Seated Power Throw (PWT), Strength Deadlift (SDL), and Interval Aerobic Run (IAR).
The first three events may be completed in any order. The Interval Aerobic Run is performed last.
U.S. Army National Guard OPAT Demonstration
Watch the U.S. Army National Guard demonstration of Maryland Army National Guard recruits completing the OPAT in March 2022.
U.S. Army National Guard video · Staff Sgt. Chazz KiblerDVIDS · MDARNG RSP Takes OPAT March 5, 2022 · 0:59
Four-event reference
The 4 OPAT Events at a Glance
The first three events can be administered in any order. The IAR is always last.
| Event | Primary demand | Recorded result | Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Long Jump (SLJ) | Lower-body power | Best valid distance in centimeters | Any order before IAR |
| Seated Power Throw (PWT) | Upper-body power | Best valid throw distance in centimeters | Any order before IAR |
| Strength Deadlift (SDL) | Lower-body strength | Completed load in pounds | Any order before IAR |
| Interval Aerobic Run (IAR) | Aerobic endurance | Last successful level/shuttle plus total successful shuttles | Last |
Test conditions
- Administration
- All four OPAT events must be completed on the same day.
- Total time
- Complete the assessment within 1 hour.
- Recovery
- Allow up to 5 minutes between events.
- Result validity
- An OPAT result is valid for 90 days.
Sources
Category threshold context
Published OPAT category thresholds
Use these event values as a quick reference, then review the complete category table and calculator for the full requirement.
- SLJ
- Black 160 cmGray 140 cmGold 120 cm
- PWT
- Black 450 cmGray 400 cmGold 350 cm
- SDL
- Black 160 lbGray 140 lbGold 120 lb
- IAR
- Black 43 shuttlesGray 40 shuttlesGold 36 shuttles
Standing Long Jump
Jump forward from a standing start and record the best valid distance. Lower-body explosive power and the ability to project the body horizontally.
Any order before the IAR
Test-Day Standard
- Physical demand
- Lower-body power
- Attempts / format
- 2 practice jumps, then 3 record jumps
- Recorded result
- Best valid distance in centimeters
- Sequence
- Any order before the IAR
Key Rules
- Takeoff
- A crouch, arm swing, and heel-to-toe movement before the jump are allowed. Feet must remain on the ground until takeoff.
- Landing and measurement
- Keep the feet in place after landing. If the Soldier steps backward before regaining control, measure to the back of the rearmost foot. A fall forward or backward requires the jump to be repeated.
Common Test-Day Questions
- How many record jumps are allowed?
- Complete two practice jumps followed by three record jumps.
- What happens if I fall after landing?
- Repeat the jump. A fall forward or backward does not produce a valid recorded result.
- Which jump is recorded?
- All three record jumps are recorded. The longest valid jump, measured in centimeters, is the score.
U.S. Army National Guard OPAT Photo
How to Perform the Standing Long Jump
Take off
Jump forward from the standing start and land in the marked landing area.
Hold the landing
Keep the feet in place after landing until the attempt is measured.
Record the result
Measure the valid distance to the nearest centimeter and record the longest of the three record jumps.
Seated Power Throw
Throw a medicine ball from a seated position and record the best valid distance. Explosive upper-body and trunk power from a constrained seated position.
Any order before the IAR
Test-Day Standard
- Physical demand
- Upper-body and trunk power
- Attempts / format
- 2 practice throws, then 3 record throws
- Recorded result
- Best valid distance to the nearest 10 cm
- Sequence
- Any order before the IAR
Key Rules
- Position
- Keep the legs extended and heels behind the restraining line.
- Throw
- Use a 4.4-pound (2-kilogram) medicine ball from the chest and push-throw at approximately 45 degrees. A waist lean and wrist follow-through are permitted; do not stand.
- Measurement
- Measure to the ball’s first ground contact, rounded to the nearest 10 centimeters.
Common Test-Day Questions
- How many record throws are allowed?
- Complete two practice throws followed by three record throws.
- How is the throw measured?
- Measure from the restraining line to the point where the ball first contacts the ground, to the nearest 10 centimeters.
- Which throw is recorded?
- Record the best valid distance from the three record throws.
U.S. Army National Guard OPAT Photo
How to Perform the Seated Power Throw
Set the position
Sit with both legs fully extended and keep the heels behind the restraining line.
Start at the chest
Hold the 4.4-pound (2-kilogram) medicine ball with both hands at the chest and pause briefly.
Push-throw
Push-throw the ball upward and away at approximately 45 degrees without standing.
Measure the throw
Measure to the ball’s first ground contact to the nearest 10 centimeters.
Strength Deadlift
Lift the prescribed load from the floor with controlled technique. Strength through the lower body and posterior chain while moving the prescribed load.
Any order before the IAR
Test-Day Standard
- Physical demand
- Lower-body and posterior-chain strength
- Attempts / format
- 2 check lifts, then up to 2 × 3-rep record attempts
- Recorded result
- Heaviest completed load in pounds
- Sequence
- Any order before the IAR
Key Rules
- Record load
- The first record load is selected between 120 and 220 pounds. Later attempts change in 10-pound increments.
- Rest
- Allow no more than one minute between record attempts.
- Stop conditions
- Stop for excessive load, pain, poor form, a rounded spine, knees moving inward, no full standing, plates not touching the ground, uncontrolled movement, a tilted hex bar, or dropped weights.
Common Test-Day Questions
- How many deadlift attempts are there?
- Complete two check lifts, then up to two record attempts of three repetitions each.
- Can I change the weight?
- The first record load is between 120 and 220 pounds. After the first attempt, use 10-pound increments to move higher or lower under the administrator’s direction.
- How much rest is allowed?
- Rest no more than one minute between record attempts.
- Which result is recorded?
- Record the heaviest load completed for three valid repetitions.
U.S. Army National Guard OPAT Photo
How to Perform the Strength Deadlift
Complete check lifts
Perform the two required check lifts before selecting the first record load.
Set the hex bar
Stand inside the hex bar with the plates on the ground and the body positioned for the lift.
Complete three repetitions
Lift the selected load to full standing and complete three valid repetitions.
Return the load
Lower the bar under control until the plates touch the ground before the next repetition.
Interval Aerobic Run
Complete the progressive interval run and record the shuttles completed. Aerobic endurance during a progressive interval shuttle run.
Must be performed last
Test-Day Standard
- Physical demand
- Aerobic endurance
- Attempts / format
- One continuous 20-meter progressive shuttle run
- Recorded result
- Last successful level/shuttle plus total successful shuttles
- Sequence
- Performed last
Key Rules
- Pace
- Reach or touch the line before the beep. If early, cross the line, turn, and wait for the next beep; if late, continue to the missed line, touch it, turn, and reach the next line before the next beep.
- Missed line
- Continue to the line before turning; do not skip the missed shuttle.
- Termination
- Quitting or three consecutive missed shuttles ends the event. Terminal failed shuttles are not counted; catching up to the next line before the following beep after one or two misses resets the warning count.
Common Test-Day Questions
- What happens if I miss the line before the beep?
- Continue to the line before turning. Do not skip the missed shuttle.
- When does the IAR end?
- Quitting or three consecutive missed shuttles terminates the event. The final missed shuttle is not counted.
- Can the warning count reset?
- Yes. After one or two missed shuttles, reach the next line before the following beep to catch up and reset the warning count; the run still ends after three consecutive misses.
U.S. Army National Guard OPAT Photo
How to Perform the Interval Aerobic Run
Start with the audio
Begin each shuttle when the signal starts.
Reach the line before the beep
Reach or touch the line before the beep, then turn inside the marked lane.
Handle an early arrival
If you arrive early, cross the line, turn, and wait for the next beep.
Continue the shuttles
Keep running continuously without stopping or resting between shuttles.
Respond to a late arrival
Continue to the missed line, touch it, turn, and reach the next line before the next beep to catch up.
Official References
Event sequence, procedures, and test-day requirements are based on current Army OPAT guidance.
Sources
U.S. Army · ATP 7-22.01 · Holistic Health and Fitness Testing Effective March 12, 2026 · Verified Sep 28, 2026U.S. Army H2F · Physical Domain · Occupational Physical Assessment Test Verified Sep 28, 2026