Garda fitness test – ditch the sit-ups

Hard on the back

Sir, – Further to “How hard is the Garda fitness test? Two Irish Times reporters take up the challenge” (Conor Capplis and Sarah Burns, Health, February 1st), I am surprised that Garda fitness test includes sit-ups as they are now considered to be dangerous because of the risk of injury to the spine. The US army has phased them out. It says personnel should replace them with the plank pose, which is when you stay in the upward part of a push-up. – Yours, etc,

SIOBAIN BROOMFIELD,

Rosenallis,

Co Laois.