Indianapolis, Indiana – In a groundbreaking development that aims to better equip Indiana’s law enforcement officers for the physical demands of their jobs, a team of researchers from the University of Indianapolis has designed a new physical fitness test. This test, specifically created to assess the fitness of law enforcement cadets, will be rolled out statewide at Indiana law enforcement academies in the coming years. After more than two years of research and collaboration, the new tactical obstacle course received approval from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and is set to replace outdated fitness evaluations used in previous years.
This collaboration between UIndy’s Kinesiology, Health & Sport Sciences department and the ILEA represents a significant shift toward a more job-relevant physical fitness test for law enforcement trainees. Traditionally, physical assessments for cadets included exercises such as a 1.5-mile run and a vertical jump test. While useful in assessing general fitness, these tests did not always reflect the unique challenges faced by officers in the field. The new obstacle course, developed in partnership with UIndy, incorporates exercises more representative of the real-world tasks that officers regularly encounter.
The design process involved a comprehensive research initiative led by a team of UIndy faculty members. Dr. Trent Cayot, Associate Professor of Kinesiology, along with Dr. Nathan Eckert, Associate Professor and Interim Program Director for the Exercise Science graduate program, and Dr. Mindy Hartman Mayol, Associate Professor, spearheaded the project. Their research was complemented by the work of five recent Master of Science in Exercise Science graduates. The goal of this team was to create a course that would provide a more occupation-specific evaluation of cadets’ physical preparedness.
“This collaboration reflects the kind of applied, interdisciplinary research that makes the University of Indianapolis distinct,” said Dr. Cayot. “We were fortunate to work closely with ILEA to evaluate a more job-relevant evaluation of physical preparedness for future law enforcement cadets. It’s gratifying to not only help those who serve our communities but also provide such a valuable real-world research experience for our UIndy students in the validation process of a new physical fitness screening.”
The new tactical obstacle course will test cadets on a variety of tasks that mimic real-world law enforcement situations. Rather than just running a distance or jumping, cadets will be required to complete more complex and relevant physical tasks. For example, they will need to jump over a chain-link fence, pull a 185-pound dummy to safety, and identify a mug shot, all while being timed. These activities are designed to test strength, agility, and decision-making under physical duress—skills that officers will need on the job.
The research team worked diligently to ensure that the new test was both reliable and valid for statewide implementation. In addition to designing the course, they also spent considerable time evaluating its consistency, ensuring that it could be administered fairly to all trainees across the state. The ILEA plans to implement the new obstacle course in mid- to late 2026, ensuring that the change will provide enough time for training and preparation.
To showcase the findings and their innovative approach, the UIndy research team presented their work at the prestigious American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting in Atlanta, one of the leading gatherings for experts in the field of exercise science. Their presentations highlighted not only the effectiveness of the new obstacle course but also the collaborative nature of their work with the ILEA, which has played a crucial role in supporting the development of the new assessment.
The team’s work continues with the application for a research grant from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Foundation. If approved, this grant would provide additional funding to support further collaborations between UIndy’s Exercise Science and Psychology departments and the ILEA. This next phase of research will focus on studying the decision-making processes of law enforcement cadets when they are physically fatigued, an area that holds critical importance in high-stress situations officers face daily.
“The long-term collaboration with ILEA exemplifies UIndy’s commitment in its mission to provide ‘service for impact’—applying faculty expertise and student engagement to address real-world challenges in the community,” said Dr. Cayot. This partnership underscores the University of Indianapolis’s dedication to enhancing public service and contributing to the improvement of public safety.
This new initiative is expected to not only improve the physical readiness of law enforcement officers but also enhance their performance on the job, making them better equipped to handle the varied and demanding situations they encounter daily. With the upcoming changes, Indiana’s law enforcement academies will be one step closer to providing more realistic and effective training for the officers who serve their communities.
The collaboration between UIndy and the ILEA represents a crucial step in the evolution of law enforcement training, aligning the physical fitness requirements with the actual challenges faced by officers. This comprehensive approach is a prime example of how academic research can be directly applied to real-world scenarios, benefiting both students and the communities they serve.
