This event measures upper body strength and endurance.

Pull-ups testing
Student hangs from a horizontal bar at a height the student can hang from with arms fully extended and feet free from floor, using either an overhand grasp (palms facing away from body) or underhand grip (palms facing toward body). Small students may be lifted to starting position. Student raises body until chin clears the bar and then lowers body to full-hang starting position. Student performs as many correct pull-ups as possible.

Pull-ups tip
Spend as little time hanging from the bar beforehand as possible, the extra time on the bar may reduce the number of pull-ups performed. Discourage any kicking of the legs or swinging of the body as this may also decrease the number of repetitions.

Pull-ups scoring
Pull-ups should be done in a smooth rather than jerky motion. Kicking or bending the legs is not permitted and the body must not swing during the movement.

Right angle push-ups testing
The student lies face down on the mat in push-up position with hands under shoulders, fingers straight, and legs straight, parallel, and slightly apart, with the toes supporting the feet. The student straightens the arms, keeping the back and knees straight, then lowers the body until there is a 90-degree angle at the elbows, with the upper arms parallel to the floor. A partner holds her / his hand at the point of the 90-degree angle so that the student being tested goes down only until her / his shoulder touches the partner's hand, then back up. The push-ups are done to a metronome (or audio tape, clapping, drums) with one complete push-up every three seconds, and are continued until the student can do no more in rhythm (has not done the last three in rhythm) or has reached the target number for the PPFA.

Right angle push-ups tip
As with the pull-up, spend as little time in the starting position beforehand in order to increase the number of repetitions. Any extra movement may also decrease the number of repetitions.

Right angle push-ups scoring
Record only those push-ups done with proper form and in rhythm.

Right angle push-ups rationale
The student's body weight has less effect on right angle push-ups than it does on pull-ups. This makes right angle push-ups a better indicator of the range of strength and endurance found in students, whereas many are unable to do any pull-ups. Pull-ups remain an option for students at higher levels of strength and endurance.

Flexed-arm hang testing
Using either an overhand grasp (palms facing away from body) or underhand grip (palms facing toward body), student assumes flexed-arm hang position with chin clearing the bar. Students may be lifted to this position. Student holds this position as long as possible.

Flexed-arm hang tip
Rather than doing a pull-up to start, lift the participant to the starting position. This decreases any extra exertion and may possibly increase the length of time.

Flexed-arm hang scoring
Chest should be held close to bar with legs hanging straight. Timing is stopped when student's chin touches or falls below the bar.

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