Do Barrier Test Results Predict Survival in Specialist Police Tactical Selection Courses?

Jeremy Robinson, Ben Schram, Elisa Canetti and Robin Orr
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Jeremy Robinson: Specialist Response Group—Tactical Response Team, Australian Federal Police, Canberra 2601, Australia
Ben Schram: Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia
Elisa Canetti: Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia
Robin Orr: Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-6

Abstract: Entry to specialist police tactical teams is governed by performance on a physically intense and psychologically demanding selection course. The aim of this study was to determine the attributes associated with completion of a specialist police selection course. Data pertaining to 18 candidates was obtained including 1 min push-ups, loaded pull-ups, loaded 30 m crawl, agility run, 1.2 km run and multi-stage fitness assessment. Comparisons from those who did and did not complete the selection week were performed and a hierarchical multiple regression performed. Eleven candidates finished, with significant difference found in those who completed the course in push-ups (+9.1 reps), loaded pull-ups (+2.9 reps), 1.2 km run (−16 s), loaded crawl (−6.3 s), agility (−0.67 s) and VO 2max (+4.8 mL/kg/min). In combination, the fitness assessments pull-ups, 30 m loaded crawl and agility time were found to predict 70% of the variability in course completion (adjusted R 2 = 0.70, F (3,14) = 14.373, p = 0.001). When assessed independently, push-ups, 1.2 km run and VO 2max results only predicted a non-significant 0.02%, 0.29% and 0.12%, respectively, of course completion. Completion was influenced by aerobic fitness, upper limb strength and endurance and agility. These variables appear to be predictive of course success.

Keywords: SWAT; special forces; barrier testing; tactical; law enforcement; strength; agility; aerobic capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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