Ability Group Run (AGR) 2023

The Ability Group Run, AGR trains soldiers in groups of near-equal ability.
Each ability group runs at a prescribed pace, intense enough to produce a training effect for that group and each soldier in it.

Table of Contents show

Training Approach:

Leaders should program these runs for specific lengths of time, not miles to be run.
This training method provides a challenge for each ability group while controlling injuries.

Assessment and grouping:

The PRT leader conducts a 1-mile run assessment to assign soldiers into ability groups.
Based on each soldier’s 1-mile run assessment time, the PRT leader assigns the soldier to one of the groups shown in Table below.

Ability Group Run (AGR) Assignments

Toughening Phase AGR Assignments	Sustaining Phase AGR Assignments
A Group 7:15 and faster	A Group 6:30 and faster
B Group 7:16 to 8:15	B Group 6:31 to 7:15
C Group 8:16 to 10:15	C Group: 7:16 to 8:00
D Group 10:16 and slower	D Group: 8:01 and slower

Ability Group Run (AGR) Assignments

Considerations for Assignment:

Some soldiers may meet the cut-off times to qualify for an ability group but are unable to maintain the prescribed running pace listed in the PRT schedule.
If they are unable to maintain their pace, they may drop to the slower group and progress later to the faster-running group.

Training Schedules:

Ability group runs must be conducted for the duration and intensity specified in the training schedules in Chapter 5, Planning Considerations.
Frequency of AGRs: one or two times per week.
AGRs, speed running, and foot marching (greater than 5 km) should not be conducted on the same or consecutive days.

Adjusting to Ability Groups:

Soldiers should move to faster groups when ready because they progress at different rates.
Those struggling within a group should be placed in a slower-ability group.
Supervision is crucial to prevent frequent shifts between groups.

Running Route Requirements:

Routes should be well-lighted, free from hazards and traffic, and marked at ¼-mile intervals.
Ability group leaders should ensure running is at the proper pace for their group by checking split times at each ¼-mile marker.

Note: The table below shows the appropriate ¼-mile split time based on the AGR pace

Table: Quarter-mile split times based on AGR pace

Pace vs. Split Time:

Pace/Mile	1/4-Mile Split	Pace/Mile	1/4-Mile Split	Pace/Mile	1/4-Mile Split
6:00	1:30	8:15	2:03	10:30	2:38
6:15	1:34	8:30	2:07	10:45	2:42
6:30	1:37	8:45	2:11	11:00	2:45
6:45	1:42	9:00	2:15	11:15	2:49
7:00	1:45	9:15	2:19	11:30	2:53
7:15	1:48	9:30	2:23	11:45	2:57
7:30	1:52	9:45	2:27	12:00	3:00
7:45	1:56	10:00	2:30	12:15	3:04
8:00	2:00	10:15	2:34	12:30	3:07

Ability Group Run AGR pace

Reference Guide:

For more details on endurance and mobility activities, including prescriptions of intensity, duration, and volume within the toughening and sustaining phases, refer to Table 10-2.

Implementation Guide:

Chapter 5, Planning Considerations, offers a comprehensive template for commanders and PRT leaders to integrate endurance and mobility activities into their PRT programs.

Author
Recent Posts

George N.

George N. is the founder of ArmyPRT.com. While he never actually served in the United States Army, he has a passion for writing about military-related topics.

Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights

George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.