Clearing the mat jump in the PARE test or POPAT test is challenging, especially when running 6 laps of the obstacle course and feeling gassed. The added pressure of a penalty when you touch the mat doesn't help matters either. Most people will try to land...

The mat jump, or the long jump, in the PARE and POPAT test is a challenge for many (particularly the POPAT mat, which is 6 feet in length). Failure to clear the mat, or continually touching it on takeoff, will result in a time penalty for...