Miloš Miloševic1, Nenad Koropanovski2, Filip Kukić3, Milivoj Dopsaj4
1Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Management, Singidunum University, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
2Department of Criminalistics, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
3Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka 78000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University in Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
Relationship of Anaerobic Running Performance, Physiological And Psychological Characteristics Among Police Students - Proof of Concept
J. Anthr. Sport Phys. Educ. 2026, 10(4), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/jaspe.261004
Abstract
Anaerobic Running Performance (AP) is critical for police field operations, yet biological markers alone do not fully explain performance variance. Grounded in the Central Governor Model and trait theories, this proof-of- concept study examined the relationship between AP, physiological recovery, and psychological characteristics in police cadets. Thirty-two cadets (20 males, 12 females; age 19.7+/-0.5 years) completed the 300-yard shuttle run test (SR300y). Capillary blood lactate (La3min) and heart rate recovery (HRend, HRmin1-3) were measured. Psychological profiles were assessed using validated inventories (Big Five Plus Two Questionnaire, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Mental Toughness Inventory and Dark Triad Dirty Dozen). Sex-standardized T-scores were analyzed using backward multiple linear regression. Sex differences were significant for SR300y time (p<0.001). The exploratory regression model explained 56.3% of AP variance (R2=0.563, adjusted R2=0.44, p<0.01). Superior performance (shorter time) was predicted by higher trait Aggression (Beta=-0.70), Mental Toughness (Beta=0.48), and Fantasy (Beta=-0.33), alongside lower Perspective Taking (Beta=0.37), lower Narcissism (Beta=0.29), higher lactate (Beta=-0.75), and lower 3-minute recovery heart rate (Beta=0.41). These preliminary results suggest that anaerobic running performance may be influenced by central personality traits alongside physiological markers, offering tentative support for the Central Governor Model in tactical populations.
Keywords
tactical athletes, central governor model, blood lactate, mental toughness, personality traits, 300-yard shuttle run
View full article
(PDF – 107KB)
References
Arble, E., Daugherty, A. M., & Arnetz, B. (2019). Differential Effects of Physiological Arousal Following Acute Stress on Police Officer Performance in a Simulated Critical Incident. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 759. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00759
Broodryk, A., Pienaar, C., Edwards, D., & Sparks, M. (2017). The psycho-hormonal influence of anaerobic fatigue on semi-professional female soccer players. Physiology & Behavior, 180, 8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.07.031
Čolović, P., Smederevac, S., & Mitrović, D. (2014). Big Five Plus Two: Validation of a Short Version. Applied Psychology, 7(3–1), 227–254. https://doi.org/10.19090/pp.2014.3-1.227-254
Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.44.1.113
Dinić, B. M., Petrović, B., & Jonason, P. K. (2018). Serbian adaptations of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD) and Short Dark Triad (SD3). Personality and Individual Differences, 134, 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.06.018
Driss, T., & Vandewalle, H. (2013). The Measurement of Maximal (Anaerobic) Power Output on a Cycle Ergometer: A Critical Review. BioMed Research International, 2013, 1–40. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/589361
Dubuc, M.-M., Aubertin-Leheudre, M., & Karelis, A. (2020). Gender differences in academic performance of high school students: The relationship with cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle endurance, and test anxiety. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 11(1), 201. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_258_18
Gallup, A. C., White, D. D., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Handgrip strength predicts sexual behavior, body morphology, and aggression in male college students. Evolution and Human Behavior, 28(6), 423–429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2007.07.001
Goodwin, M. L., Harris, J. E., Hernández, A., & Gladden, L. B. (2007). Blood Lactate Measurements and Analysis during Exercise: A Guide for Clinicians. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 1(4), 558–569. https://doi.org/10.1177/193229680700100414
Gucciardi, D. F., Hanton, S., Gordon, S., Mallett, C. J., & Temby, P. (2015). The Concept of Mental Toughness: Tests of Dimensionality, Nomological Network, and Traitness: Mental Toughness. Journal of Personality, 83(1), 26–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12079
Hawk, S. T., Keijsers, L., Branje, S. J. T., Graaff, J. V. der, Wied, M. de, & Meeus, W. (2013). Examining the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) Among Early and Late Adolescents and Their Mothers. Journal of Personality Assessment, 95(1), 96–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2012.696080
Jonason, P. K., & Webster, G. D. (2010). The dirty dozen: A concise measure of the dark triad. Psychological Assessment, 22(2), 420–432. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019265
Koropanovski, N., Orr, R. M., Dopsaj, M., Heinrich, K. M., Dawes, J. J., & Kukic, F. (2022). Effects of Maximal and Submaximal Anaerobic and Aerobic Running on Subsequent Change-of-Direction Speed Performance among Police Students. Biology, 11(5), 767. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11050767
Koropanovski, N., Orr, R. M., Dopsaj, M., Heinrich, K. M., Dawes, J. J., & Kukić, F. (2022). Effects of maximal and submaximal anaerobic and aerobic running on subsequent change-of-direction speed performance among police students. Biology, 11(5), 767. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11050767
Matabuena, M., Vidal, J. C., Hayes, P. R., Saavedra-Garcia, M., & Trillo, F. H. (2019). Application of Functional Data Analysis for the Prediction of Maximum Heart Rate. IEEE Access, 7, 121841–121852. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2938466
Milošević, M., Božović, B., & Dopsaj, M. (2022). Psychometric properties of the Serbian version of mental toughness Inventory and Dark Triad Dirty Dozen in police students. Nauka, Bezbednost, Policija, 27(1), 14–28. https://doi.org/10.5937/nabepo27-36389
Milošević, M. M., Kitanović, V., Mudrić, M. R., & Dopsaj, M. (2025). The Relationship of the Neuromuscular Characteristics of the Handgrip Expressed in Different Modules of Isometric Contraction and Psychological Characteristics in Adults—Proof of Concept. Journal of Anthropology of Sport and Physical Education, 9(4), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.26773/jaspe.251002
Milošević, M. M., Koropanovski, N., Vuković, M., Božović, B., Kukić, F., Mudrić, M. R., Stamatis, A., & Dopsaj, M. (2025). Exploring the Interplay of Handgrip Neuromuscular, Morphological, and Psychological Characteristics in Tactical Athletes and General Population: Gender- and Occupation-Based Specific Patterns. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010022
Milošević, M., Zarić, I., Dopsaj, M., Ristić, I., & Sheard, M. (2024). Mental toughness and empathy as match performance predictors of high-level female basketball players. Biomedical Human Kinetics, 16(1), 131–138. https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2024-0013
Noakes, T. D., Clair Gibson, A. S., & Lambert, E. V. (2005). From catastrophe to complexity: A novel model of integrative central neural regulation of effort and fatigue during exercise in humans: summary and conclusions. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(2), 120–124. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2003.010330
Noakes, T. D., St Clair Gibson, A., & Lambert, E. V. (2005). From catastrophe to complexity: A novel model of integrative central neural regulation of effort and fatigue during exercise in humans: summary and conclusions. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(2), 120–124. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2003.010330
Papageorgiou, K. A., Benini, E., Bilello, D., Gianniou, F., Clough, P. J., & Costantini, G. (2019). Bridging the gap: A network approach to Dark Triad, Mental Toughness, the Big Five, and perceived stress. Journal of Personality, 87(6), 1250–1263. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12472
Rajović, R., Koropanovski, N., Kukić, F., Radošević, I., Milošević, M., & Dopsaj, M. (2026). Running Speed and Mental Toughness: Effects on Change-of-Direction Speed in Police Students. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 11(3), 268. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11030268
Sabouri, S., Gerber, M., Sadeghi Bahmani, D., Lemola, S., Clough, P., Kalak, N., Shamsi, M., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., & Brand, S. (2016). Examining Dark Triad traits in relation to mental toughness and physical activity in young adults. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 229. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S97267
Selmi, W., Rebai, H., Chtara, M., Naceur, A., & Sahli, S. (2018). Self-confidence and affect responses to short-term sprint interval training. Physiology & Behavior, 188, 42–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.01.016
Skinner, T. L., Kelly, V. G., Boytar, A. N., Peeters, G. (Geeske), & Rynne, S. B. (2020). Aviation Rescue Firefighters physical fitness and predictors of task performance. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(12), 1228–1233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.05.013
Sullivan, G. M., & Feinn, R. (2012). Using Effect Size—Or Why the P Value Is Not Enough. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 4(3), 279–282. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-12-00156.1
Tucker, R., & Collins, M. (2012). What makes champions? A review of the relative contribution of genes and training to sporting success. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(8), 555–561. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2011-090548
White, K., De Beliso, M., Sevene, T., & Adams, K. (2015). The Reliability of the 300-Yard Shuttle Run in High School Girls Basketball Players. Journal of Sports Science, (3), 214–218. https://doi.org/10.17265/2332-7839/2015.05.002
Winters, J. D., Heebner, N. R., Johnson, A. K., Poploski, K. M., Royer, S. D., Nagai, T., Randall, C. A., Abt, J. P., & Lephart, S. M. (2019). Altered Physical Performance Following Advanced Special Operations Tactical Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Publish Ahead of Print. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003087
Zarić, I., Milošević, M., Kukić, F., Dopsaj, M., Aminova, A. S., & Komkova, I. A. (2021). Association of Mental Toughness with Competitive Success of Young Female Basketball Players. Human. Sport. Medicine, 21(1), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.14529/hsm210111