What is a factor that affects soldiers' performance in the APFT?

Minimized training time is a significant factor that affects soldiers' performance in the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) because a lack of sufficient and quality training directly impacts a soldier's physical readiness and fitness levels. The APFT assesses a soldier's physical capabilities, including endurance, strength, and overall fitness. If training time is reduced, soldiers will not have adequate opportunities to develop these necessary skills and improve their physical conditioning.

Consistent rest, while important for recovery and performance enhancement, generally facilitates better training outcomes rather than being a detriment. Engaging in physical training with civilians may introduce new techniques or methodologies, but it doesn’t provide the same level of specific military conditioning or performance preparation as structured military training. Isolation from other soldiers can hinder motivation and camaraderie, but it doesn’t inherently determine physical ability like the availability of training time does. Thus, the reduction of training time directly influences performance by limiting the physical development required to excel in the APFT.