Physical Fitness Characteristics of High vs. Low Performers on an Occupationally Specific Physical Agility Test for Patrol Officers

Abstract

Law enforcement agencies frequently use physical ability tests (PATs) as a method of evaluating occupational performance. These tests are designed to replicate essential occupational tasks frequently performed by officers in the field. The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant relationships exist between the selected physical fitness tests and PAT performance and to determine which of these tests best differentiates between high and low PAT performers. Full-time highway patrol officers (n = 495) submitted self-reported anthropometric data (mean age = 39.6 + 7.7 years) along with fitness assessments taken from their organization's yearly fitness tests. All subjects completed a series of field-based fitness tests, as well as an occupationally specific PAT. Results of the study indicated that the selected tests accounted for almost 69% of the total variance on PAT performance. Overall, the 20-m meter multistage fitness test, 1-minute sit-up performance, and vertical jump height best predicted PAT performance. Furthermore, it was revealed that high performers were significantly more fit in all measures of dynamic fitness when compared with lower performers. No significant differences were discovered in static strength between groups. Strength and conditioning specialists should focus on developing aerobic capacity, trunk muscular endurance, and whole-body anaerobic power to improve PAT and occupational performance.

Relationships Between Absolute and Relative Strength and Power in Male Police Officers of Varying Strength Levels

“…These researchers found significant correlations between all of the selected speed distances and power measures (i.e., CMJ height: r = 0.572 to 0.602; PAPw: r = 0.686 to 0.959; P:BM: r = − 0.561 to − 0.696). Other studies have reported significant relationships between measures of lower body power and body drag velocity [22], as well as performance on an occupationally specific physical ability test [11]. Based on these results, the need for lower body strength and power in tactical populations is evident.…”

“…The job of a police officer can be physically demanding and may require physical exertions at or near an officers' agepredicted maximal heart rate ). In the line of duty, officers may be required to lift and move heavy objects, pursue and apprehend a suspect, perform hand-tohand combat, jump and climb over fences and barriers, and lift or push heavy objects [2,11,28]. Furthermore, these tasks must be performed while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) that can weigh approximately 10 kg [4,17,21].…”

“…Indeed, an officer must have the requisite lower body strength and power to perform these critical tasks in a safe, efficient, and effective manner to maintain public safety and protect themselves from injury, and in some cases death [7,24]. As such, leg strength and power are frequently assessed within police populations to ensure that appropriate levels of lower body muscular fitness have been attained [5,11,12,20,25].…”

“…Although the relationships between absolute strength and power have not been explored in a law enforcement population, the relationship between lower body strength and occupational performance has been investigated. Absolute strength as measured by an isometric leg/back dynamometer (LBDa) was found to not differentiate between high and low performers in a group of officers performing an occupationally specific physical agility test (PAT) [11]. In contrast, Muirhead et al (2019) reported that LBDa scores were associated with a positive identification shooting scenario (r = 0.344, P < 0.05) and the officers' total score across the three marksmanship scenarios (i.e., static marksmanship, move and shoot, positive identification) performed in this study (r = 0.350, P < 0.05).…”

“…Based on these findings, it is evident that the relationships between relative strength by an isometric leg/back dynamometer (LBDr) and an lower body power among law enforcement officers of varying strength levels has not been fully explored. This information may be of value considering the need for lower body power to perform occupational tasks efficiently and effectively [10,11,22].…”