Kinesiology, Health & Sport Sciences researchers collaborate to design new physical fitness test for all Indiana law enforcement academies

After more than two years of work, a team of University of Indianapolis researchers have designed the next tactical obstacle course to measure the physical fitness for all new law enforcement cadets. In May, the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) announced that its Law Enforcement Training Board approved the use of a new tactical obstacle course for all Indiana law enforcement academies next year. The test was revamped in collaboration with UIndy to better prepare trainees for the physical demands they will face in the field.

The research team includes Associate Professor Dr. Trent Cayot, Associate Professor and Interim Program Director for the Exercise Science graduate program Dr. Nathan Eckert, Associate Professor Dr. Mindy Hartman Mayol, and five Master of Science in Exercise Science recent graduates.

“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.”

As already showcased on WRTV, the newly adopted obstacle course is designed to better reflect the physical demands officers may experience in the field—offering a more occupation-specific assessment than previous standards. For example, instead of a 1.5 mile run or vertical jump test, trainees will have to jump over a chain-link fence, pull a 185-pound dummy to safety and identify a mug shot. Over the course of their research, the UIndy team evaluated the course’s validity and reliability, with a goal of ensuring it could be implemented consistently and fairly statewide. The ILEA announced it plans to implement the new test in either mid- to late 2026.

The team presented its research and findings in a series of three presentations to the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting in Atlanta, one of the field’s most prominent scholarly gatherings. 

Dr. Cayot, Dr. Eckert, and Dr. Mayol are awaiting the results for a research grant application submitted to the National Strength and Conditional Association Foundation to aid in continued research collaborations with the ILEA. If approved, the grant would support a partnership with UIndy Exercise Science, UIndy Psychology, and the ILEA to student decision-making in law enforcement cadets when they are physically fatigued.

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.