Effects of Technique and Dummy Mass on Law Enforcement-Specific Body Drags: Testing and Training Implications

Current law enforcement body drag tests may use dummy masses that are underweight compared to current population norms. This study aimed to determine differences in 74.84-kg and 90.72-kg body drag times when performed with a standard (pick up and stand with dummy prior to dragging), adapted (incorporation of time to lift dummy to standing), and preferred (drag with any technique) technique. Forty-three (24 males, 19 females) physically-active, healthy civilians (surrogate population for police recruits) completed drags over 9.75 m with 74.84-kg and 90.72-kg dummies using the three techniques previously stated. A 2 (mass) × 3 (technique) within-factorial ANOVA (p < 0.05), with Bonferroni post hoc, derived any dummy and technique differences. Thirty-five participants completed all the standard and adapted drags; all participants completed the preferred drag. There were significant main effects for dummy mass (F _(1,34) = 14.762, p < 0.001) and technique (F _(2,33) = 23.272, p < 0.001). Participants dragged the 74.84-kg dummy faster than the 90.72-kg dummy. The standard drag was completed faster than the adapted and preferred drags (p < 0.001). The adapted drag was completed faster than the preferred drag (p = 0.024). Even if a recruit is assessed with a lighter dummy, they need the capacity to perform heavier drags in the field. Activity-specific strength training during academy could aid this process. Though the time was slower, the adapted technique may offer information the standard technique does not as it includes the lifting portion of the drag. The preferred technique allowed all participants to complete the task, which could influence the drag techniques allowed if agencies increase testing dummy masses.