Section 1
FITDAT data model
The neutral infrastructure layer. These objects exist independently of any Score Set. FITDAT defines what tests are and how measurements are recorded — it has no opinions about scoring, weights, or interpretation.
Core object types
Test
Object type
A standardized assessment that defines and measures a specific physical capability construct. A Test is stable as long as the underlying construct remains unchanged. Tests are the atomic unit of FITDAT — every other object ultimately references a Test.
The 40 Yard Dash measures explosive linear speed. The Test definition is stable regardless of how or where it is administered.
Protocol
Object type
Defines the execution rules, equipment, conditions, and versioning for a Test. Multiple Protocols may exist per Test provided the underlying capability construct is preserved. Protocols are versioned — a change creates a new Protocol version, not a new Test. Measurements from different Protocols cannot share StandardSets unless explicitly defined.
A Bench Press Test may have protocols for free barbell and Smith machine. Both measure upper body pushing strength — different execution, same construct.
Metric
Object type
Defines the unit of measurement, precision, and directionality for a Test result. Directionality specifies whether higher or lower values represent better performance.
40 Yard Dash → seconds, hundredths precision, lower = better. Pull-Ups → repetitions, whole number, higher = better.
Measurement
Object type
An immutable recorded fact: a single result produced by administering a Test under a specific Protocol. Once recorded, a Measurement cannot be altered. It carries a Tier designation (Tier 1 or Tier 2) indicating how it was recorded. Measurements are facts — they have no inherent scoring or interpretation. Standards, scores, and interpretations sit above them and may change over time. The Measurement never changes.
Component
Object type
A descriptive physical quality expressed by a Test — for example Speed, Strength, Power, Endurance, or Agility. Tests may express multiple Components. Component mappings are descriptive metadata only — they do not encode scoring weight and carry no calculation significance.
The Standing Long Jump expresses both Power and Agility. These labels describe what the test reflects. How much those Components contribute to a score is defined by the Score Set, not by the test definition.
Population
Object type
A defined reference cohort used as the basis for a StandardSet. Populations may be defined by age group, sex, sport, occupation, or other criteria. FITDAT does not prescribe which Populations must exist — it provides the framework for defining them.
General Adult, High School Athlete, Military Recruit, Fire Service Candidate.
StandardSet
Object type
A versioned performance reference distribution tied to a specific combination of Test + Protocol + Metric + Population. StandardSets define what performance levels mean for a specific cohort. They are curated reference distributions — not crowd-sourced — and are versioned independently from Tests and Protocols. StandardSets provide the interpretive reference for scoring tables — but the scoring tables themselves are defined by the Score Set, not by FITDAT.
Measurement trust tiers
Tier 1 Measurement
Trust designation
A self-recorded Measurement. The athlete enters their own result via a REALFIT-compliant application. Tier 1 is broadly accessible, high-volume, and self-attested. Valid for personal tracking, trend analysis, and consumer-facing applications. Tier 1 is a property of the Measurement itself — what Tier 1 results are eligible for is determined by the Score Set or institution, not by FITDAT.
Tier 2 Measurement
Trust designation
An Official-certified Measurement. A credentialed REALFIT Official administers and validates the test under defined Protocol conditions. Tier 2 carries an auditable chain of custody and is suitable for institutional use. Whether a Score Set requires Tier 2 is the Score Set's decision, not FITDAT's.
Analogous to the difference between self-reported income and verified income on a loan application — the same data type, fundamentally different institutional trust.
Governance principles
Version
Governance principle
An immutable, timestamped snapshot of any governed FITDAT object — Test, Protocol, StandardSet, or Score Set. Prior versions are never deleted. Any Measurement recorded against a specific version can be correctly interpreted indefinitely.
Attribution
Governance principle
When FITDAT documents a protocol originating from an external organization — a military branch, law enforcement agency, or sports governing body — full credit is given to the originating organization. FITDAT does not claim authorship of third-party protocols. It adds versioning, discoverability, and standardized metadata without modifying protocol content. FITDAT becomes the version-of-record for protocols that originating organizations may not formally version themselves.
Data Dictionary
Infrastructure
The canonical reference for all FITDAT object types, field definitions, units, and measurement type specifications. The authoritative reference for any implementer building on FITDAT.
Section 2
Score Set layer
Score Sets are built by selecting and weighting Tests from the FITDAT library. This is where decisions live: which tests, which weights, how long certifications last, how scores are interpreted. Every Score Set makes its own choices using this vocabulary.
Score Set
Definition object
A versioned, named definition that specifies how to transform Measurements from selected Tests into a composite score for a particular purpose and population. A Score Set selects Tests from the FITDAT library, references specific Protocols, declares a calculation model, defines component weights, specifies certification rules, sets a Reference Band, and maintains version history. Also referred to as an Index. Score Sets are where decisions live. The FITDAT library provides the Tests — the Score Set decides how to use them.
A fire department fitness standard, a gym assessment program, and the REALFIT Absolute Score are all Score Sets that select from the same FITDAT test library.
Index
Synonym
Synonym for Score Set. The terms are interchangeable. Index is commonly used in investor and institutional contexts; Score Set is the preferred technical term within FITDAT documentation.
Score Set Archetype
Calculation model
The calculation model type used by a Score Set. Supported archetypes: Weighted Composite (component weights sum to 100%), Simple Aggregate (sum or average of test scores), Pass/Fail Threshold (binary result per test), Minimum Per Test (floor score required on each test), Feedback Only (no composite score, results and bands only), and Hybrid combinations.
Component Weight
Score Set parameter
Defined within a Score Set: the percentage contribution of a fitness component to the overall score in a Weighted Composite archetype. Component Weights are a Score Set value — they do not exist in the test definition itself. The same Tests can carry different weights in different Score Sets.
A soccer Score Set might weight Speed at 30% and Strength at 10%. The REALFIT Absolute Score weights all six components differently. FITDAT tests do not have inherent weights — only Score Sets do.
Reference Band
Score Set parameter
Defined within a Score Set: a non-scoring, human-interpretive layer that maps score ranges to descriptive labels. Every Score Set must define at least one Reference Band. Reference Bands provide contextual meaning — they describe, they do not score.
REALFIT Absolute Score bands: 0–99 Not Yet Fit · 100–299 Minimally Fit · 300–499 Moderately Fit · 500–699 Well Fit · 700–849 Exceptionally Fit · 850–1,000 Maximally Fit. A different Score Set defines its own bands.
Certification Window
Score Set parameter
Defined within a Score Set: the period for which a certified Measurement is considered current and valid for that Score Set's purposes. Set by the Score Set author — not a FITDAT rule. Different Score Sets may define different windows based on their intended use.
The REALFIT Absolute Score sets 90 days. A corporate annual wellness program might set 365 days. A military pre-deployment screen might set 30 days. FITDAT provides the Measurement — the Score Set decides how long it stays valid.
Aggregation Method
Score Set parameter
Defined within a Score Set: the rule specifying how component scores combine into an overall score. May be weighted average, simple average, minimum threshold, or custom formula depending on the Score Set archetype.
Score Set Version
Versioning
An immutable snapshot of a Score Set's complete definition at a point in time — including all referenced FITDAT tests and protocol versions, component weights, Reference Bands, Certification Window, and calculation model. Version history is mandatory. Changing any parameter creates a new version. Score Set versioning ensures that any result ever produced by a Score Set can be reproduced and correctly interpreted — even if the Score Set is later updated.
Section 3
REALFIT platform & ecosystem
Platform infrastructure, ecosystem participants, certification and governance. These terms belong to the REALFIT platform layer — above both FITDAT and the Score Set layer.
Platform infrastructure
FITDAT API
Infrastructure
Programmatic access to FITDAT definitions, Score Set submissions, measurement data, and Standards references. The developer track for technical builders creating certified applications on FITDAT.
REALFIT Studio
Infrastructure
The no-code Score Set builder within the REALFIT Platform. Enables organizations, affiliates, teams, and community members to build, configure, and publish Score Sets without programmatic development. Supports all Score Set archetypes, Official management, and results reporting.
Benchmark Library
Data asset
A crowd-sourced, anonymized population dataset built from opt-in member-contributed Measurements. Dynamic and continuously growing — distinct from curated StandardSets. No personally identifiable information is stored. Surfaces percentile rankings, score distribution curves, and peer group comparisons. One of REALFIT's most defensible long-term data assets — a proprietary, continuously compounding dataset that cannot be replicated without REALFIT's scale of standardized measurement.
Ecosystem participants
Member
Participant
A consumer end-user of the REALFIT platform. Records Tier 1 Measurements, accesses the REALFIT Absolute Score, builds personal Score Sets, and may submit results for Official certification to earn Tier 2 status. Represents all fitness levels.
Official
Participant
A REALFIT-credentialed individual or organization authorized to administer tests and certify results as Tier 2 Measurements. Officials are the sole gatekeepers of certified data. Credentials are auditable and revocable. Officials may be individuals (trainers, coaches) or organizations (gyms, institutions).
Organization
Participant
A gym, employer, healthcare institution, or other entity that builds branded fitness programs using REALFIT Studio. May credential their own Officials to run certified assessments at scale.
Affiliate
Participant
A military branch, law enforcement agency, fire department, or government organization building operational fitness standards on FITDAT. Affiliates maintain independent governance of their Score Sets while referencing FITDAT definitions.
Developer
Participant
A third-party builder implementing FITDAT to create certified applications or proprietary Score Sets. Access via REALFIT Studio (no-code) or FITDAT API (programmatic). Must declare all FITDAT references and Score Set versions to achieve certification.
Certification & governance
REALFIT Certification
Governance
Formal compliance status awarded to applications, Score Sets, Organizations, and Officials that meet REALFIT's structural and operational requirements. Auditable, versioned, and revocable. Does not imply endorsement of scoring philosophy — only structural compliance.
Credentialing
Governance
The process by which an individual or organization becomes a REALFIT Certified Official. Involves completing a training program covering Protocol administration, measurement standards, and certification integrity.
Events
Event
Platform feature
A time-bounded, Official-certified testing session created by an Organization or Affiliate. Structured with a participant list, live scoring, a leaderboard, and configurable post-event result handling. All results must be Tier 2 — no self-recorded results accepted. May be in-person or virtual.
Live Scoring
Platform feature
Real-time publication of certified results to the Event Leaderboard as Officials certify them during the active Event window.
Leaderboard
Platform feature
The ranked display of certified results within an Event. Visibility is configurable: restricted to registered participants or publicly visible.