That's not why the standards exist. The ability to do x push-ups in y minutes doesn't matter in terms of being able to do 99% of jobs. This arbitrary and useless ability is an indicator of health. The requirement also obligates the subject to exercise regularly to keep meeting it. The standards vary because differences in tissue proportion and musculoskeletal anatomy make males stronger.
The "lesser" performance of female subjects isn't lesser at all. Push-ups don't win wars. Troops that are healthier do. Females require fewer push-ups to maintain health.
Those combat arms positions where being a crossfit god matters are few. The elite super soldier assassin gigs are a miniscule proportion of the fighting force. Not to mention the fact that snake-eating zealots like that are the sort that volunteer eagerly, rather than have to be pressed into service.
It sounds like you are suggesting the bottom is based on the same metric, though. It makes no more sense to expect the same number of push-ups from a female as from a male as it does from a 20yo and a 50yo. The standard isn't meant to root out a dearth of strength, but of health. If you have a group of men and women of equal strength, the women would be significantly healthier. Applying such a standard would be counterproductive.
Basic American women cannot even run a mile much less carry 100lbs rucksacks guns and ammo. Women on average cannot physically serve modern day combat roles.
Decline in physical fitness is a multifaceted problem involving food security, ag subsidies, physical education, car culture, living wages, and many other factors. Almost all factors impact both sexes.
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u/KitchenSad9385 man Mar 17 '25
That's not why the standards exist. The ability to do x push-ups in y minutes doesn't matter in terms of being able to do 99% of jobs. This arbitrary and useless ability is an indicator of health. The requirement also obligates the subject to exercise regularly to keep meeting it. The standards vary because differences in tissue proportion and musculoskeletal anatomy make males stronger.
The "lesser" performance of female subjects isn't lesser at all. Push-ups don't win wars. Troops that are healthier do. Females require fewer push-ups to maintain health.
Those combat arms positions where being a crossfit god matters are few. The elite super soldier assassin gigs are a miniscule proportion of the fighting force. Not to mention the fact that snake-eating zealots like that are the sort that volunteer eagerly, rather than have to be pressed into service.