Test Events

The POWER Test consists of four basic events.

Sit & Reach

This is a measure of the flexibility of the lower back and upper leg area. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving range of motion and is also important in minimizing lower back problems. The events involves stretching out to touch the toes or beyond with extended arms from the sitting position. The score is in the inches reached on a stretch box.

Sit & Reach Male

Age Score
20 to 29 14.4"
30 to 39 13.0"
40 to 49 12.0"
50 and older 10.5"

Sit & Reach Female

Age Score
20 to 29 17.0"
30 to 39 16.5"
40 to 49 15.0"
50 and older 14.8"

One Minute Sit-Up

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. It is an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is also an important area fir maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems. The score is in the number of bent leg sit-ups performed in one minute.

One Minute Sit-Up Male

Age Score
20 to 29 33
30 to 39 30
40 to 49 24
50 and older 19

One Minute Sit-Up Female

Age Score
20 to 29 24
30 to 39 20
40 to 49 14
50 and older 10

One Repetition Maximum Bench Press

This is a maximum weight pushed from the bench press position and measures the amount of force the upper body can generate. It is an important area for performing police tasks requiring upper body strength. NIPSTA utilizes a pin-operated weight bench. The score is a ratio of weight pushed divided by body weight.

One Repetition Maximum Bench Press Male

Age Score
20 to 29 88 %
30 to 39 78 %
40 to 49 72 %
50 and older 63 %

One Repetition Maximum Bench Press Female

Age Score
20 to 29 51 %
30 to 39 47 %
40 to 49 43 %
50 and older 39 %

1.5 Mile Run

This is a times run to measure the heart and vascular system's capacity to transport oxygen. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems. The score is in minutes and seconds.

1.5 Mile Run Male

Age Score
20 to 29 14:00
30 to 39 14:34
40 to 49 15:24
50 and older 16:58

1.5 Mile Run Female

Age Score
20 to 29 16:46
30 to 39 17:38
40 to 49 18:37
50 and older 20:44

What that Standards Are

The actual performance requirements for each event is based upon norms for a national population sample.

The applicant must pass every event.

The required performance to pass each event is based upon age an sex. While the absolute performance is different for the eight categories, the relative effort is identical for each age and sex group. All recruits are being required to meet the same percentile range in terms of their respective age/sex group. the performance requirement is that level of physical performance that approximates the 40th percentile for each age and sex group.