Physical Fitness Readiness and Preparation for Law Enforcement Academy a Pilot Cohort Study

Authors

Logan Moore, Human Movement and Performance Laboratory; Department of Kinesiology; Texas Wesleyan University; Fort Worth, TXFollow
Sharon Carano, Human Movement and Performance Laboratory; Department of Kinesiology; Texas Wesleyan University; Fort Worth, TXFollow
Karen Wallace, Human Movement and Performance Laboratory; Department of Kinesiology; Texas Wesleyan University; Fort Worth, TXFollow
Pamela Rast, Human Movement and Performance Laboratory; Department of Kinesiology; Texas Wesleyan University; Fort Worth, TXFollow

Abstract

It has been shown that lower baseline physical fitness among first responder recruits, specifically law enforcement, is consistently associated with (1) higher rates of academy attrition (including failures to meet physical standards or to complete training) and (2) increased injury risk during academy training PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to test the physical fitness readiness of college students for entry into a law enforcement academy, and prepare the students for the rigors of the police officer physical resilience assessment, and the future physical activity requirements of being in law enforcement.  METHODS: College students (20±1.47 years old) with a criminal justice major were enrolled in a 15-week semester course designed specifically for improving their health and wellness. Students first learned about the benefits of physical activity (PA), the daily recommendations for PA, and the specific PA demands for their future vocation. Students were taught about the physical requirements to enter their vocations academy and familiarized with the equipment and testing procedures. They performed a pre-physical fitness assessment that is tailored to their local law enforcement academy. Based on their results, the students created a health and wellness goal to follow throughout the semester. Students continued to learn about stress management techniques, the benefits of PA, and how to incorporate these tools in their daily and future lives. At the conclusion of the semester, the students then retested to track their progress. RESULTS: In the initial pre-physical fitness assessment 2 out of the 6 participants passed all 4 of the fitness measurements (1-minute pushups, 500-meter row, 1-minute sit-ups, 1.5-mile run). At the conclusion of the course 4 out of the 6 passed all fitness measurements marking a 50% increase in pass rate. There was significant increase in power output during the 500-meter row (pre: 150.19±80.7 watts, post: 201.19±83 watts, p= 0.04), while there was no significant difference in estimated VO₂max from the 1.5-mile run (pre: 39.12±10.13 ml/kg/min, post: 38.52±8.36 ml/kg/min, p= 0.08). CONCLUSION: In a small pilot cohort of 6 students, an academic course designed to focus on the physical fitness and readiness of law enforcement officers showed efficacy for improving their physical fitness preparation for entry into the academy upon graduation.

Recommended Citation

Moore, Logan; Carano, Sharon; Wallace, Karen; and Rast, Pamela (2026) "Physical Fitness Readiness and Preparation for Law Enforcement Academy a Pilot Cohort Study," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 18, Article 255.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/255