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

TLDR

Law enforcement agencies routinely use physical ability tests that mimic essential occupational tasks to assess officer performance. This study aimed to examine the relationships between selected fitness tests and PAT performance and to identify which tests best distinguish high from low PAT performers. A sample of 495 full‑time highway patrol officers completed self‑reported anthropometric data and a series of field‑based fitness assessments, including an occupationally specific PAT. The selected fitness tests explained about 69 % of PAT variance, with the 20‑m multistage fitness test, 1‑minute sit‑up, and vertical jump height being the strongest predictors; high performers exhibited superior dynamic fitness, while static strength did not differ, suggesting training should emphasize aerobic capacity, trunk endurance, and whole‑body anaerobic power.

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.