You MUST bring your Driver's License in order to participate in the Physical Fitness Assessment.

The Noblesville Police Department, in recognizing the importance of physical fitness status for job performance, has established physical fitness standards for applicants. Physical fitness is critically important for doing the job of a police officer and fitness is necessary to perform the strenuous and essential functions of the job. You will be expected to meet the physical fitness test standards in order to successfully pass this portion of the selection process.

WHY IS PHYSICAL FITNESS NECESSARY IN POLICE WORK?

Implementing tests/standards/programs that differentiate between those who can and cannot do the job of a police officer regardless of age, gender, race, and disability is of the utmost importance. Today, police agencies that do not address the physical fitness requirements and needs of their officers are susceptible to litigation for negligence in hiring, training, supervision and retention of unfit officers.

Public safety studies consistently show 20-30 strenuous/critical tasks are necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. There is ample data to document that physical fitness components are the underlying and predictive factors for performing such tasks as:

• Sustained pursuit - Aerobic power
• Sprints - Anaerobic power
• Dodging - Aerobic/anaerobic power and flexibility
• Lifting and Carrying - Muscular strength and endurance/anaerobic power
• Dragging, Pulling, and Pushing - Muscular strength and endurance/anaerobic power
• Jumping and Vaulting - Anaerobic power/leg power and strength
• Crawling - Muscular endurance/flexibility/body fat composition
• Use of Force < 2 minutes - Muscular strength and endurance/anaerobic power
• Use of Force > 2 minutes - Muscular strength and endurance/aerobic power 

Studies conducted by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research (CIAR) have determined the areas and levels of physical fitness which are necessary for performing the essential functions of a police officer. The resultant test has scientific evidence for having construct and criterion validity as measuring job-related factors, and the established norms are scientifically valid norms based on general law enforcement samples.

The physical fitness areas that have been determined to be underlying factors for your capabilities to do the job consist of four specific and different areas: 

1. Aerobic power and cardiovascular endurance: Having an efficient heart and cardiovascular system enables you to perform physical tasks such as making foot pursuits and long-term use of force situations over a sustained period of time. 
2. Anaerobic power: Having the ability to make short, intense bursts of effort assists job tasks such as short sprint pursuit situations.
3. Upper body muscular endurance: Having the capability to make repeated muscular contractions with the upper body without getting fatigued is important for many use of force situations.
4. Trunk and abdominal muscular endurance: Having the capability to make repeated muscular contractions with the abdominal area without getting fatigued is important in many tasks involving lifting, pulling, and dragging.        

HOW WILL THE PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT BE ADMINISTERED?

There are five physical fitness components that will be measured during the Physical Fitness Assessment portion of the selection process.

1. Vertical Jump: This measures leg power and consists of measuring how high a person jumps. The applicant will be given three opportunities to achieve the minimum standard following the prescribed protocol.
2. One Minute Sit Ups: This measures abdominal, or trunk, muscular endurance. While lying on his/her back, the applicant will be given one minute to do as many bent-leg sit ups as possible following the prescribed protocol.
3. 300 Meter Run: This measures anaerobic power, the ability to make an intense burst of effort for a short time period or distance. This component consists of sprinting 300 meters as fast as possible.
4. Maximum Push Ups: This measures the muscular endurance of the upper body. This component consists of doing as many push ups as possible until muscle failure, following the prescribed protocol.  
5. 1.5 Mile Run: This measures aerobic or cardiovascular power (stamina over time). To complete this component you must run/walk a distance of 1.5 miles as fast as possible.

WHAT ARE THE FITNESS STANDARDS THAT I MUST PASS?

PRIOR TO THE PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT

• You must have at least eight hours of sleep the night before.
• You must begin a hydration process at least 48 hours in advance. The hydration process requires that you drink at least 8 ounces of water per hour or a minimum of 4 quarts a day.
• You must eat at every mealtime during the preceding 48 hours.  Your meals must include high carbohydrates and fibers. Do not skip any meals.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and any foods/drinks containing high volumes of caffeine and refined sugars (coffee, tea, sodas, candy, and "junk food").

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT

• Loose fitting cotton clothing: shorts, t-shirts, long athletic pants, and sweater
• Men: athletic supporter or supportive briefs
• Women: sports/jogging bra or other supportive wear
• Athletic shoes designed for running are preferable. Hi-top shoes are highly discouraged
• Socks suitable for running
• Sunscreen
• Towel for wiping off sweat
• Water or sports drink

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy's website at www.in.gov/ilea for more information on how to prepare for the Physical Fitness Assessment. Applicants will be expected to adhere to the strict protocol assigned to each component. It is essential that these protocol are followed specifically in order to ensure a fair and consistent opportunity for all involved.