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Tactical Strength and Conditioning

(39) RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST PERFORMANCE AND FITNESS IN POLICE RECRUITS FROM A SOUTHEASTERN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Friday, July 14, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Milano III-IV
Abstract Details: Police recruit capability to complete job tasks may be measured via a physical ability test (PAT). A PAT can be novel to a police department, but often includes a succession of job-specific tasks (e.g., running, obstacle courses, body drags, etc.) that must be completed as quickly as possible. Fitness could contribute to efficient task performance within a PAT; which characteristics are important may be dependent on the PAT structure.

Purpose: To determine relationships between performance in a department-specific PAT and fitness test battery among police recruits.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on data (1069 men, 404 women) recorded during 2005-2009 and 2016-2020 from recruits from one southeastern police department. The gap in years occurred because of a department hiring freeze. The following were recorded for all recruits within the first 2 weeks of their training academy: grip strength; sit-and-reach; 60-s push-ups; 60-s sit-ups; 2.4-km run; and a PAT. The PAT involved exiting a vehicle and opening the trunk; running ~201 m; completing an obstacle course; dragging a 68-kg dummy 31 m; again completing an obstacle course and running ~201 m; dry firing a weapon 6 times with each hand; and trunk item placement and vehicle entry. Relationships between the PAT and fitness tests were measured by partial correlations and stepwise linear regression, both controlling for sex.

Results: The PAT was completed in a mean time of 4:16±1:07 min:s by recruits. The PAT significantly (p< 0.001) related to all fitness tests. Moderate relationships were found for push-ups (r=-0.35), sit-ups (r=-0.41), and the 2.4-km run (r=-0.43). Small relationships were found with grip strength (r=-0.19) and the sit-and-reach (r=-0.17). Table 1 shows the stepwise regression data. The final model, which included sex and all fitness tests except the sit-and-reach, explained ~53% of the variance.

Conclusions: PAT performance related to, and was predicted by, multiple fitness tests. Aerobic fitness measured by the 2.4-km run appeared to have the greatest impact, which may have related to the PAT design. Tasks completed in succession rather than isolation (resulting in a mean PAT time of ~4 min) and use of a relatively light dummy (~68 kg vs. 90 kg [average US adult man] and ~77 kg [average US adult woman]) may stress aerobic fitness and muscular endurance to a greater extent. These results, and how they could be used for training program design, should be considered within the context of job tasks that may emphasize other fitness qualities (e.g., heavier body drags needing maximal strength and power). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Multiple fitness components should be developed to help police personnel perform job tasks assessed by a PAT. Consideration should also be given to the design of a PAT and how this may place more importance on certain fitness qualities (e.g., aerobic and muscular endurance) and how this information should then be used for training program design.

Acknowledgements: None