The workload and performance relationship in the real world: a study of police officers in a field shooting exercise

Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2008;14(2):119-31. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2008.11076757.

Abstract

We examined the relationship between perceived workload and performance by evaluating the responses of police officers to 4 different draw-and-shoot tasks in a night field training exercise which was part of their regular training regimen. Sixty-two police officers volunteered to participate. Results demonstrated an associative trend among 3 tasks where shooting performance decreased and workload increased as the tasks became more complex. However, performance on 1 specific shooting task did not correlate with any of the other 3 tasks, and in this 1 exceptional case, insensitivities were observed in which workload increased but performance remained constant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Firearms
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Police*
  • Stress, Psychological*
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Workload*