Graduation-stage physical fitness as a predictor of operational performance and injury risk among police recruits: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study examined whether physical fitness at the point of police academy graduation predicts early-career outcomes, including job performance and musculoskeletal injury risk.

Methods

In a 12-month prospective cohort study, 240 police recruits (74.2% male; mean age 22.1 years) were assessed during the final week of academy training. Graduation-stage fitness was summarised by a composite fitness index (0-100; higher=better) from sex-standardised domain scores. Job performance was assessed using the Behaviourally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS) at 12 months, while injury incidence was monitored via official records, compensation claims and self-reported events. Multivariable linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations, adju

SUBMITTER: Jia D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12645639 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature