Skip to main content

Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Physical Agility versus Ability

Reference Number: MTAS-1211
Reviewed Date: 11/10/2022

The terms physical ability and physical agility are commonly used interchangeably. Webster’s Dictionary defines agile, or agility, as being able to move quickly and easily; nimble; mentally alert. Physical ability, on the other hand, is defined as the physical, mental, financial, or legal power to perform; a natural or acquired skill or talent. This report uses physical ability in conjunction with physical fitness for a firefighter and physical agility for testing police officers, where moving quickly or easily may be more job task related.