Theoretical and Applied Aspects of Physical Ability Testing

Abstract

5 Validity, the relationship between physical abilities and job performance, has been well established. Generally, there is an ascending and positive correlation between the possession of physical abilities and the performance of physical job tasks. The source of litigation in employment opportunity settings is frequently over the identification of a cut point, below which applicants are given no further consideration and above which the candidate is considered qualified. The three bodies of law (constitutional, statutory and administrative) do not clearly spell out what constitutes defensible criteria for the establishment of cut points. Since a task can not be made “fair,” test development specialists are frequently assailed when physical performance tests are demonstrated to have adverse impact against “protected classes.” The ideal test is reliable and valid by virtue of its relationship to frequently encountered or critical job demands. It is appropriately independent of skill (a trainable component of performance) and identifies on an objective, performance-related basis those individuals who possess high probability of success in their work versus those with critical deficiencies and propensities toward injury. The test should be safe to perform, relatively easy and economical to administer on a large scale by non-experts. Identification of relevant physical abilities, physical capacity testing including work sample and fitness/construct testing, and paradigms for the establishment of defensible cut points will be presented by the above authors.