Running Speed, Power, and Aerobic Fitness relate to Work Sample Test Battery Performance in Deputy Sheriff Recruits

Many law enforcement recruits complete a state-specific physical test before
graduating from their respective academies. In California, this is known as the Work
Sample Test Battery (WSTB). The WSTB is comprised of tests related to job-related
tasks. Certain agencies also conduct assessments to measure physical fitness; one
example is the Validated Physical Abilities Test+ (VPAT+). The VPAT+ was developed to
measure a recruit’s power as well as general fitness. This study aimed to identify
relationships between VPAT+ and WSTB performance. Retrospective analysis on data
from four academy classes (203 males, 35 females) from one law enforcement agency
was conducted. The VPAT+ and WSTB were completed in the last weeks of a 22-week
academy training program. The VPAT+ is comprised of: a vertical jump (VJ) and seated
2 kg medicine ball throw (MBT) to indirectly measure lower- and upper-body power,
respectively; a 75-yard pursuit run (75PR), which was a simulated foot pursuit involving
sprinting and direction changes; and the multi-stage fitness test (MSFT), where the
number of shuttles indicated aerobic fitness. The WSTB comprised five tests completed
for time: agility run around a 99-yard obstacle course (99OC); 32-foot body drag (BD)
with a 165-lb dummy; climb over a six-foot chain link fence (CL) and six-foot solid wall
(SW); and 500-yard run (500R). Partial correlations controlling for sex calculated
relationships between the tests from the VPAT+ and WSTB. A greater VJ related to
faster 99OC, CL, SW, and 500R scores (r = -0.23 to -0.38). Greater MBT distance
correlated to quicker 99OC and CL performance (r = -0.21 to -0.27). Faster 75PR
performance was associated with a faster 99OC, CL, SW, and 500R (r = -.025 to -0.50). A
higher number of MSFT shuttles correlated to faster 99OC and 500R (r = -0.27 to -
0.410). No VPAT+ tests related to the BD. The VJ and 75PR related to the running and
barrier-clearing WSTB tests, which may display the need for lower-body power and
high-intensity anaerobic performance in these tasks. Superior MSFT performance
related to the OC99 and 500R times, which highlights high-intensity running capacity
needs for law enforcement. Better MBT scores correlated with the 99OC and CL, which
provide some indication of the value of upper-body power in occupational tasks.
However, no VPAT+ tests related to the BD. The BD is strength-intensive, which is an
attribute not usually tested in recruits. The use of strength testing in recruits should be
explored, as this quality could relate to job-specific tasks.