THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PHYSICAL TEST PERFORMANCE IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Project Abstract

PURPOSE: Tactical populations require unique physical capabilities to perform job duties. Previous work has shown a relationship between vertical jump performance and pursuit ability in law enforcement populations. The countermovement jump (CMJ) assesses peak lower-body performance, but is not often included in law enforcement testing batteries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships between CMJ and law enforcement fitness test performance. METHODS: University-aged males (n=5) and females (n=7) (age=21.01±2.19 years, height=174.15±10.00 cm, weight=80.76±12.15 kg, BF%=23.02±9.72%) participated in fitness testing based on the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council physical testing battery (KLEC). The testing battery included the bench press 1RM, situps in 1 minute, push-ups in 2 minutes, a 300-meter sprint, and a 1.5-mile run. Participants are scored based on test performance and must achieve 50 points across the 5 tests to pass the KLEC. Participants also completed the CMJ, with a Vertec used to assess jump height (JH). A uniaxial force plate sampling at 1000 Hz assessed absolute (PF) and relative (PFrel) CMJ peak force. Body composition was assessed via bioelectric impedance analysis. Testing was performed over two days, separated by a week. On the first day, participants completed the CMJ, bench press 1RM, situps, and pushups. The second testing day consisted of the 300-meter sprint, followed by the 1.5-mile run. Pearson product-moment correlations assessed the relationship between CMJ performance and individual test performance, as well as the total points achieved across the KLEC (p< 0.05). RESULTS: Strong to very strong relationships were observed between JH and the following variables: 1RM (r=0.77, p=0.004), situps (r=0.69, p=0.01), push-ups (r=0.87, p< 0.001), 300m (r=-0.81, p=0.001), 1.5-mile time (r=-0.78, p=0.003), and KLEC points (r=0.73, p=0.007). Also, PFrel was related to 1RM (r=0.58, p=0.05), situps (r=0.75, p=0.005), and push-ups (r=0.64, p=0.03). An inverse relationship was observed between JH and BF% (r=-0.73, p=0.008). Absolute PF shared limited relationships with the other tests. CONCLUSION: Though the CMJ is not part of the KLEC, JH and PFrel shared strong relationships with most tests, as well as total KLEC points. In contrast, absolute PF shared minimal relationships with other performance tests. This may be related to the influence of body mass on absolute PF. Higher BF% was related to poorer KLEC performance. Though mass can contribute to absolute PF, higher mass or BF% would likely hinder running and muscular endurance performance. Both JH and PFrel share stronger relationships with KLEC performance than absolute PF, serving as secondary measures of fitness or KLEC performance in this population. Further, as previous work has shown that peak lower-body performance may be related to law enforcement performance, the CMJ may allow for a supplementary assessment of fitness in this population. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: CMJ measures correlated strongly with KLEC performance. Though not a component of all law enforcement testing batteries, CMJ performance may be a supplemental measure of tactical fitness. Further, lower-body power may be related to job tasks. As such, coaches may look to include the CMJ in testing and training protocols.

Conference Name

National Strength and Conditioning Association 2026 National Conference

Conference Details

Sponsoring Body: National Strength and Conditioning Association

Conference Website: https://www.nsca.com/nscacon/

Funding Type

Travel Grant

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Area/Major/Minor

Exercise science

Degree

Exercise science

Classification

Junior

Name

Dr Matthew Hermes

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

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