To fall in line with the Pentagon guidance requiring all U.S. Space Force members to take a physical fitness test twice a year, U.S. Space Force members who were exempt from taking a Human Performance Assessments (HPA) while participating in the Continuous Fitness Assessment (CFA) will now be required to take the HPA twice a year.
The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and 711th Human Performance Wing (711HPW) have been taking the data collected from the CFA participants since 2023 when the program was created. They are working to assess if regular health tracking is more beneficial for members instead of taking a fitness assessment once or twice a year. Members who were participating in the CFA are encouraged to continue to participate despite now being required to take a fitness assessment. The information collected from members who continue to participate in the program will allow research efforts continue.
SPFMAN 36-2905 update
The Space Force released an Interim Change to SPFMAN 36-2905, Human Performance and Readiness, and Space Force Guidance Memorandum (GM) 2025-36-03, Establishing the Continuous Fitness Assessment within the Holistic Health Approach on December 8, 2025. The Space Force provided additional guidance on the upcoming changes on January 6. The update stated that all Guardians will be required to take two physical fitness test a year beginning January 1. It also included new Human Performance Standards.
Space Force Human PERFORMANCE Assessment standards
Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Guardians will complete either a 2-mile run or the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-Shuttle Run. At least one of the two yearly assessments will consist of the 2-mile run.
Muscular Strength: Exercises include tempo push-ups or hand-release push-ups.
Endurance: Exercises include sit-ups, cross leg reverse crunches, or a timed forearm plank.
Body composition: Guardians will be assessed using a waist-to-height ratio measurement.
HPA scores will also be included on Enlisted and Officer performance reports as required by guidance from the Department of War. The U.S. Space Force plans to add HPA scores to EPRs and OPRs beginning in February 2026, more information and guidance will come out for that change in the coming weeks.
Continuous Fitness Assessment
The U.S. Space Force partnered with AFRL and 711 HPW to conduct a voluntary research study examining whether Portable Wearable Fitness Devices (PWFD) as an effective means to assess and promoteU.S. Space Force physical fitness. The study seeks to determine whether PWFDs provide a valid, reliable assessment of select fitness measures. It also hopes to determine whether they promote consistent physical activity and optimize fitness and health.
“The Space Force doesn’t just talk about caring for its Guardians; we invest in them,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna. “The Holistic Health Approach, coupled with the Human Performance Assessments, is a strategic investment in our most valuable asset: the human weapon system. A healthy, resilient Guardian is a formidable warfighter, ready to face any challenge. We’re not simply maintaining a force. We’re forging a competitive edge that ensures we remain at the forefront of space superiority.”
The CFA required members to hit standards in terms of active minutes of exercise. 150 of total exercise minutes each week for a total of 600 exercise minutes each month. The fitness wearable tracks fitness minutes of both standard fitness and vigorous. Vigorous minutes count for as two minutes instead of just one.
“I like having the accountability of tracking my fitness each week. It gives me a goal to shoot for and had made me active at times I would have skipped my workout.” said a Space Force Guardian.
