Development of the Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) for Combat Arms Soldiers

Abstract

Abstract : The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) was tasked by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to develop criterion-based physical requirements for entry into the 7 physically demanding combat MOSs. Researchers from USARIEM completed 3 studies to develop a valid, safe, and legally defensible physical performance battery to predict a Soldier's ability to serve in each MOS. Data from 877 complete datasets were used in the development of three courses of action for gender neutral Occupational Physical Aptitude Tests (OPATs): Test Battery 1: medicine ball put, squat lift, beep test, standing long jump, arm ergometer; Test Battery 2: medicine ball put, squat lift, beep test, standing long jump; Test Battery 3: standing long jump, 1-minute push-ups, 1-minute sit-ups, 300m sprint, Illinois agility test. Test Batteries 1 and 2 have adequate and similar predictive power, while that of Test Battery 3 has a much lower predictive power. Factoring in the cost, equipment, and time, USRIEM's recommendation would be to implement Test Battery 2.