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Talaber KA, Orr RM, Maupin D, Schram B, Hasanki K, Roberts A, Robinson J. Profiling the absolute and relative strength of a special operations police unit. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2022; 14:111. [PMID: 35718792 PMCID: PMC9208152 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-022-00502-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Specialist police perform high-risk tasks and are required to have, and maintain, a high level of fitness. The aims of this study were to profile the strength of a specialist police unit and to investigate whether this profile remained constant over an 18-month period. Methods Retrospective data for 47 special operations police officers (mean initial weight = 88.84 ± 8.25 kg) were provided. Officers were tested five times over 18 months for 1 repetition maximum: bench press, squat, deadlift, and pull-up. All officers continued to participate in their typical physical conditioning programs. Repeated-measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni post-hoc adjustments or Friedman tests with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare strength values across all five time points (TPs). Alpha levels were set at 0.05. Results All strength values increased significantly over the 18-month period. Over the five TPs, absolute squat increased the most (+ 9%: initial mean = 125.79 ± 24.53 kg), followed by absolute bench press (+ 8%: initial mean = 109.67 ± 19.80 kg), absolute deadlift (+ 7%: initial mean = 151.64 ± 26.31 kg) and absolute pull-up (+ 4%: initial mean = 121.43 ± 14.91 kg). Relatively, the highest increase was found with the squat (+ 8%: initial mean = 1.42 ± 0.25%), followed by the bench press (+ 7%: initial mean = 1.24 ± 0.20%), deadlift (+ 6%: initial mean = 1.71 ± 0.25%) then pull-up (+ 4%: initial mean = 1.37 ± 0.15%). The period between TP3 and TP4 yielded the fewest significant increases compared with other TP differences with only absolute bench press (+ 1.7%), absolute squat (+ 1.1%) and relative bench press (+ 1.6%) changing significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusions Specialist police can maintain, even increase strength, while serving in specialist units if provided with a Strength and Conditioning coach and time to train. Given changes over time, constant monitoring is required and a single timepoint may not be optimal to establish normative data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Talaber
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia
| | - Robin M Orr
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia. .,Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Danny Maupin
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Ben Schram
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia.,Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Ksaniel Hasanki
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia
| | - Adam Roberts
- Australian Federal Police, Canberra Unit, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jeremy Robinson
- Australian Federal Police, Canberra Unit, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Strauss M, Foshag P, Jehn U, Vollenberg R, Brzęk A, Leischik R. Exercise capacity, cardiovascular and metabolic risk of the sample of German police officers in a descriptive international comparison. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:2767-2775. [PMID: 34220304 PMCID: PMC8241769 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.60696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The police force has the mandate to protect citizens and enforce the law for public safety. Employment in the police force is recognized as a dangerous occupation and characterized by job-related physical hazards. Therefore, good health and adequate physical condition are necessary. This study aimed to determine cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory, and metabolic risk parameters of German police officers (POs) in comparison to POs from other nations. Methods: 55 male police officers from Germany participated in the survey. We examined anthropometric measurements, cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors and blood parameters. Additionally, we calculated 10-year cardiovascular risk using the Framingham Risk Score. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome bases on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. We assessed cardiorespiratory status by exercise spirometry. Results: The analyzed group of POs demonstrated a high prevalence of pre obesity (BMI: 28.0±3.2 kg/m², waist circumference: 97.8±12.4 cm). 61.8 % of POs showed an increased waist circumference. POs showed high prevalence of abnormal values of triglyceride (n: 24, 43,6%), and systolic (n: 29, 52,7%) and diastolic (n: 27, 49%) blood pressure. The average 10-year cardiovascular risk (by Framingham) was classified as moderate (9.6 ± 7.4 %). 32 % (n: 18) of POs in our study group were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Maximal relative oxygen uptake of POs was 34.1 ± 8.0 ·ml/kg-1 ·min-1. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study was one of the first to assess data on cardiovascular health, metabolic syndrome and cardiorespiratory status of police officers in Germany. The results of our study demonstrated an increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk and decreased cardiorespiratory fitness in German police officers. The present study results underline the need to implement health-promoting interventions and concepts like corporate sports activities or nutrition courses to counteract cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. We have to reduce the subsequent development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in this occupational group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Strauss
- Department of Cardiology I- Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Cardiol, 48149 Muenster, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, 58095, Hagen, Germany
| | - Peter Foshag
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, 58095, Hagen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Jehn
- Department of Medicine D, Division of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Hospital of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Richard Vollenberg
- Department of Medicine B, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Münster, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Anna Brzęk
- Department of Physiotherapy, Chair of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Roman Leischik
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, 58095, Hagen, Germany
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Marins EF, David GB, Del Vecchio FB. Characterization of the Physical Fitness of Police Officers: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res 2020; 33:2860-2874. [PMID: 31045682 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000003177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Marins, EF, David, GB, and Del Vecchio, FB. Characterization of the physical fitness of police officers: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2860-2874, 2019-Physical fitness tests (e.g., aerobic power, muscular endurance, and flexibility tests) are commonly used to assess the ability of police officers to perform work-related tasks. The purpose of this study was to describe, from a systematic literature review, data related to police physical fitness. The research was conducted in 5 electronic databases to search for original studies that measured physical fitness (aerobic and anaerobic capacity, strength, endurance, power, flexibility, agility, and speed) of police officers, as well as the article references. Original studies assessing objective measures of physical fitness in police officers were included, with no date restriction. Fifty-nine articles were included in the review. The studies mostly measured cardiorespiratory fitness indirectly, strength, and muscular endurance, as well as other performance components (body composition, power, flexibility, speed, agility, and anaerobic profile), with police officers generally presenting values similar or above the average of the general population. It can be concluded that intervention studies are needed to promote and incorporate programs related to improvement or maintenance of physical fitness in police officers, which would result in health benefits and specifically improvement in performance of specific tasks of police work. This review provides summary information to assist in the selection of physical fitness tests for police populations. Still, these findings have practical applications for public security agencies and its personnel responsible for the development and implementation of physical programs in policemen population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo F Marins
- Federal Highway Police Department, Brasília, Brazil.,College of Physical Education, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Gabriela B David
- College of Physical Education, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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Maupin D, Wills T, Orr R, Schram B. Fitness Profiles in Elite Tactical Units: A Critical Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXERCISE SCIENCE 2018; 11:1041-1062. [PMID: 30147824 PMCID: PMC6102190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Elite tactical units complete a variety of demanding tasks and a high level of fitness is required by this population to perform their occupational tasks optimally. The aim of this critical review was to identify and synthesize key findings of studies that have investigated the fitness profiles of elite tactical units. Included studies were critically appraised, using the Downs and Black checklist, and a level of evidence was determined. Relevant data were extracted, tabulated, and synthesized. Fourteen studies were included for review and ranged in percentage quality scores from 46% to 66% with a mean of 57.5%. Moderate interrater agreement (κ = 0.496) existed between raters. A variety of fitness measures were used across various domains of fitness. The most common measures were in the areas of anthropometric measures, strength, power, and aerobic capacity. However, there was high variety in the measures and their protocols. Though fitness appears to be a critical part of research and practice in tactical populations, currently there is no standardized measure or result for this population. Further research in fitness profiling should be completed using standardized outcome measures which cover the spectrum of the fitness demands for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Maupin
- Bond Institute of Health and Science, Bond University, Gold Coast QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas Wills
- Bond Institute of Health and Science, Bond University, Gold Coast QLD, Australia
| | - Robin Orr
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Ben Schram
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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Police Officers Who Are Physically Active and Have Low Levels of Body Fat Show Better Reaction Time. J Occup Environ Med 2017; 60:e1-e5. [PMID: 29065055 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the relationship between reaction time (RT), level of physical activity (PA), and anthropometric indicators in police officers in Special Operation Units. METHODS Twenty-two police officers (34.5 ± 9.1 years old) from Santa Catarina, Brazil, who were members of a Special Operation Coordination Unit. RT was measured by the Vienna Test System. Were obtained values of body mass index (BMI), body fat (BF), and waist-to-hip ratio. PA was investigated using the Physical Activity Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS Younger police officers (less than 34 years) and BF less than 15% presented better performance in RT when compared with older, and BF more than 15%, respectively. RT was negatively related to PA (rho = -0.48, P < 0.05), and positively related to BF (rho = 0.76, P < 0.01) and to BMI (rho = 0.46, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Participants from the group with greater BF and insufficient PA reacted significantly slower than others.
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Dawes JJ, Lindsay K, Bero J, Elder C, Kornhauser C, Holmes R. Physical Fitness Characteristics of High vs. Low Performers on an Occupationally Specific Physical Agility Test for Patrol Officers. J Strength Cond Res 2017; 31:2808-2815. [PMID: 28658087 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
Law enforcement agencies frequently use physical ability tests (PATs) as a method of evaluating occupational performance. These tests are designed to replicate essential occupational tasks frequently performed by officers in the field. The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant relationships exist between the selected physical fitness tests and PAT performance and to determine which of these tests best differentiates between high and low PAT performers. Full-time highway patrol officers (n = 495) submitted self-reported anthropometric data (mean age = 39.6 + 7.7 years) along with fitness assessments taken from their organization's yearly fitness tests. All subjects completed a series of field-based fitness tests, as well as an occupationally specific PAT. Results of the study indicated that the selected tests accounted for almost 69% of the total variance on PAT performance. Overall, the 20-m meter multistage fitness test, 1-minute sit-up performance, and vertical jump height best predicted PAT performance. Furthermore, it was revealed that high performers were significantly more fit in all measures of dynamic fitness when compared with lower performers. No significant differences were discovered in static strength between groups. Strength and conditioning specialists should focus on developing aerobic capacity, trunk muscular endurance, and whole-body anaerobic power to improve PAT and occupational performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jay Dawes
- 1Department of Health Sciences, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and 2Colorado State Highway Patrol, Training Academy, Lakewood, Colorado
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Dawes JJ, Orr RM, Flores RR, Lockie RG, Kornhauser C, Holmes R. A physical fitness profile of state highway patrol officers by gender and age. Ann Occup Environ Med 2017; 29:16. [PMID: 28588897 PMCID: PMC5455072 DOI: 10.1186/s40557-017-0173-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Law enforcement officers perform physically demanding tasks that generally remain constant as they age. However, there is limited population-specific research on age, gender and normative fitness values for law enforcement officers as opposed to those of the general population. The purpose of this study was to profile the current level of fitness for highway patrol officers based on age and gender and provide percentile ranking charts unique to this population. METHODS Retrospective data for six-hundred and thirty-one state troopers (♂ = 597; mean age = 39.52 ± 8.09 yrs; mean height = 180.72 ± 7.06 cm; mean weight = 93.66 ± 15.72 kg: ♀ = 34; mean age = 36.20 ± 8.45 years; mean height = 169.62 ± 6.65 cm; mean weight = 74.02 ± 14.91 kg) collected in 2014-2015 were provided for analysis. Data included demographic (age), anthropometric (height and weight), and select fitness (VJ, push-ups, sit ups, isometric leg/back strength, isometric grip strength and 20 m shuttle run test) information. RESULTS There were generally significant differences between genders for all anthropometric and fitness measures, most consistently in the 30-39 age groups. While there was a general decline in push-up and shuttle run performance in female officers, these results did not reach significance. For male officers, there were significant differences between the 20-29 year-old age group and the 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 year-old groups with the younger group performing better in VJ, push-ups, sit ups and number of shuttle runs than the older groups. There were no differences in isometric grip strength and leg back dynamometer measures between age groups. CONCLUSION Male officers tended to be heavier, taller and perform significantly better than female officers in all measures bar sit-ups. While there appeared to be a general decline in certain physical characteristics across genders with increasing age the notable differences were between the youngest male age group (20-29 years) and all other male age groups with a potential reason being the lack of fitness requirements once typically younger cadets leave the academy. Percentile rankings for the assessed measures were found to have elements very specific to this population when compared to the general population and those provided in this paper can be used to inform future profiling and research in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jay Dawes
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 USA.,Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, Gold Coast, 4226 QLD Australia
| | - Robin M Orr
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, Gold Coast, 4226 QLD Australia
| | - Richard R Flores
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 USA
| | - Robert G Lockie
- Department of Kinesiology, Cal State Fullerton University, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834 USA
| | - Charlie Kornhauser
- Colorado State Highway Patrol, Training Academy, 700 Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80215 USA
| | - Ryan Holmes
- Colorado State Highway Patrol, Training Academy, 700 Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80215 USA
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Davis MR, Easter RL, Carlock JM, Weiss LW, Longo EA, Smith LM, Dawes JJ, Schilling BK. Self-Reported Physical Tasks and Exercise Training in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Teams. J Strength Cond Res 2016; 30:3242-3248. [PMID: 26950355 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Davis, MR, Easter, RL, Carlock, JM, Weiss, LW, Longo, EA, Smith, LM, Dawes, JJ, and Schilling, BK. Self-reported physical tasks and exercise training in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3242-3248, 2016-Little research has been done examining the most physically demanding tasks a SWAT officer may perform in the line of duty. Our objective was to analyze the rankings of tasks by SWAT officers based on frequency, difficulty, and importance and assess if training is addressing traits needed for successful task completion. A survey was designed using Qualtrics (Qualtrics Labs Inc). The survey had a demographics section, performance section, and training section. Officers were contacted by phone or e-mail and asked about interest in participating. Officers who agreed were sent the survey. Our results found a strong correlation between frequency of task and importance (r = 0.69, p = 0.001), and a moderate correlation was found between task difficulty and importance (r = 0.37, p = 0.005). Task rankings were averaged across the 3 domains to assess "overall" importance, and the top 3 tasks were assessed for necessary traits for successful performance. Power and strength were determined to be the most important traits for successful performance. Officers ranked the top 2 focuses of their training program in the training section as stamina/muscular endurance and cardiovascular/respiratory endurance. Training programs for SWAT officers should be developed to improve performance of the tasks with the highest "overall" importance. Therefore, a training program should emphasize strength and power improvements while not neglecting other measures of fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Davis
- 1University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee; 2U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and 3University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Li C, Xing JJ, Shan AQ, Leng L, Liu JC, Yue S, Yu H, Chen X, Tian FS, Tang NJ. Increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with occupational stress in Chinese policemen: A 4-year cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e5359. [PMID: 27861366 PMCID: PMC5120923 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000005359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and occupational stress have been recognized as major public health concerns. We aimed to explore whether occupational stress was associated with NAFLD in a police population.A total of 6559 male police officers were recruited for this prospective study in April 2007. Among them, 2367 eligible subjects participated in follow-up from 2008 to 2011. NAFLD was diagnosed based on standard criteria. Occupational stress was evaluated by Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised scores.The incidence of NAFLD was 31.2% in the entire police. After adjusting for traditional risk factors, moderate occupational stress (MOS), high occupational stress (HOS), and high personal strain (HPS) were risk factors (MOS: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.237, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.049-1.460; HOS: HR = 1.727, 95% CI = 1.405-2.124; HPS: HR = 3.602, 95% CI = 1.912-6.787); and low occupational stress (LOS) and low personal strain (LPS) were protective factors (LOS: HR = 0.366, 95% CI = 0.173-0.776; LPS: HR = 0.490, 95% CI = 0.262-0.919) for NAFLD in the entire police cohort. HOS and HPS remained robust among traffic police.HOS and HPS were independent predictors for the development of NAFLD in a Chinese police population. Additional future prospective investigations are warranted to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
| | - Jing-Jing Xing
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
| | - An-Qi Shan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
| | - Ling Leng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
| | - Jin-Chuan Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
| | - Song Yue
- Department of Physical Examination, Medical Center of Police Hospital, Heping
| | - Hao Yu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hedong
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
| | - Feng-Shi Tian
- Department of Physical Examination, Medical Center of Police Hospital, Heping
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tianjin 4th Center Hospital, Hebei, Tianjin, China
| | - Nai-Jun Tang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
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Leischik R, Foshag P, Strauß M, Littwitz H, Garg P, Dworrak B, Horlitz M. Aerobic Capacity, Physical Activity and Metabolic Risk Factors in Firefighters Compared with Police Officers and Sedentary Clerks. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133113. [PMID: 26186442 PMCID: PMC4506022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study examined the association between the physical work environment and physiological performance measures, physical activity levels and metabolic parameters among German civil servants. A main focus in this study was to examine the group differences rather than measuring the absolute values in an occupational group. Methods We prospectively examined 198 male German civil servants (97 firefighters [FFs], 55 police officers [POs] and 46 sedentary clerks [SCs]). For each parameter, the groups were compared using a linear regression adjusted for age. Results The 97 FFs showed a similar maximal aerobic power (VO2max l/min) of 3.17±0.44 l/min compared with the POs, who had a maximal aerobic power of 3.13±0.62 l/min (estimated difference, POs vs. FFs: 0.05, CI: -0.12-0.23, p=0.553). The maximal aerobic power of the FFs was slightly higher than that of the SCs, who had a maximal aerobic power of 2.85±0.52 l/min (-0.21, CI: -0.39-0.04, p=0.018 vs. FFs). The average physical activity (in metabolic equivalents [METS]/week) of the FFs was 3818.8±2843.5, whereas those of the POs and SCs were 2838.2±2871.9 (-808.2, CI: 1757.6-141.2, p=0.095) and 2212.2±2292.8 (vs. FFs: -1417.1, CI: -2302-531.88, p=0.002; vs. POs: -2974.4, CI: -1611.2-393.5, p=0.232), respectively. For the FFs, the average body fat percentage was 17.7%±6.2, whereas it was 21.4%±5.6 for the POs (vs. FFs: 2.75, CI: 0.92-4.59, p=0.004) and 20.8%±6.5 for the SCs (vs. FFs: 1.98, CI: -0.28-4.25, p=0.086; vs. POs: -0.77, CI: 3.15-1.61, p=0.523). The average waist circumference was 89.8 cm±10.0 for the FFs, 97.8 cm±12.4 (5.63, CI: 2.10-9.15, p=0.002) for the POs, and 97.3±11.7 (vs. FFs: -4.89, CI: 1.24-8.55, p=0.009; vs. POs: -0.73, CI: -5.21-3.74, p=0.747) for the SCs. Conclusions The FFs showed significantly higher physical activity levels compared with the SCs. The PO group had the highest cardiovascular risk of all of the groups because it included more participants with metabolic syndrome; furthermore, the POs had an average of 2.75% higher body fat, lower HDL cholesterol values and higher waist circumferences compared with the FFs and higher LDL cholesterol values compared with the SCs. Our data indicate that sedentary occupations appear to be linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Leischik
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Hagen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter Foshag
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Hagen, Germany
| | - Markus Strauß
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Hagen, Germany
| | - Henning Littwitz
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Hagen, Germany
| | - Pankaj Garg
- University of Leeds, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Birgit Dworrak
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Hagen, Germany
| | - Marc Horlitz
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Cologne, Germany
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Anthropometric indicators of obesity in policemen: A systematic review of observational studies. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2014; 27:891-901. [DOI: 10.2478/s13382-014-0318-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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13
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Pryor RR, Colburn D, Crill MT, Hostler DP, Suyama J. Fitness characteristics of a suburban special weapons and tactics team. J Strength Cond Res 2012; 26:752-7. [PMID: 22289693 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0b013e318225f177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operators are specialized law enforcement officers who traditionally perform their duties with higher anticipated workloads because of additional body armor, weapons, and equipment used for enhanced operations and protection. This elevated workload increases the need for SWAT operators to improve or maintain their physical fitness to consistently perform routine operations. Typical tasks require trunk rotation, overhead upper extremity use, upper and lower body strength use, and long waiting periods followed by explosive movements while wearing additional equipment. Eleven male SWAT operators from 1 SWAT team performed flexibility, strength, power, and aerobic capacity tests and a variety of job-related tasks. Data were compared with age- and gender-based normative data. Fitness testing revealed that officers ranked high on tests of muscular strength (leg strength, 90th percentile; bench press, 85th percentile); however, body composition (55th percentile), core body strength, and flexibility ranked lower. Furthermore, aerobic capacity and muscular power had a wide range of scores and were also not ideal to support maximal performance during routine operations. These data can assist exercise specialists choose fitness programs specifically for job-related tasks of SWAT operators when creating fitness programs. Fitness programming for law enforcement should focus on improving aerobic fitness, flexibility, core strength, and muscular power while maintaining muscular strength to meet the needs of these specialized officers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riana R Pryor
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Responder Human, Performance Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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14
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Stanish HI, Wood TM, Campagna P. Prediction of performance on the RCMP physical ability requirement evaluation. J Occup Environ Med 1999; 41:669-77. [PMID: 10457510 DOI: 10.1097/00043764-199908000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police use the Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation (PARE) for screening applicants. The purposes of this investigation were to identify those field tests of physical fitness that were associated with PARE performance and determine which most accurately classified successful and unsuccessful PARE performers. The participants were 27 female and 21 male volunteers. Testing included measures of aerobic power, anaerobic power, agility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition. Multiple regression analysis revealed a three-variable model for males (70-lb bench press, standing long jump, and agility) explaining 79% of the variability in PARE time, whereas a one-variable model (agility) explained 43% of the variability for females. Analysis of the classification accuracy of the males' data was prohibited because 91% of the males passed the PARE. Classification accuracy of the females' data, using logistic regression, produced a two-variable model (agility, 1.5-mile endurance run) with 93% overall classification accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Stanish
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Abstract
The issue of discrimination in physically demanding employment, such as police, firefighters, prison guards and military personnel, is contentious. In terms of oxygen transport, the 'action limit' (calling for personnel selection or task redesign) is a steady oxygen consumption of 0.7 L/min, while the maximum permissible limit is 2.1 L/min. Note is taken of the commonly expressed belief that public safety duties are physically demanding, calling for personnel with an aerobic power of at least 3 L/min, or 42 to 45 ml/kg/min. The actual demands of such work can be assessed on small samples by physiological measurements (using heart rate or oxygen consumption meters), but the periods sampled may not be typical of a normal day. A Gestalt can also be formed as to the heaviness of a given job, or a detailed task analysis can be performed; most such analyses of public safety work list distance running and other aerobic activities infrequently. An arbitrary requirement of 'above average fitness' is no longer accepted by courts, but a further approach is to examine the characteristics of those currently meeting the demands of public safety jobs satisfactorily. Young men commonly satisfy the 3 L/min standard, but this is not usually the case for women or older men; in the case of female employees, it also seems unreasonable that they should be expected to satisfy the same standards as men, since a lower body mass reduces the energy cost of most of the tasks that they must perform. A second criterion sometimes applied to physically demanding work (a low vulnerability to heart attacks) is examined critically. It is concluded that the chances that a symptom-free public safety officer will develop a heart attack during a critical solo mission are so low that cardiac risk should not be a condition of employment. Arbitrary age- and sex-related employment criteria are plainly discriminatory, since some women and 65-year-old men have higher levels of physical fitness than the average young man of 25 years. Neither laboratory nor field tests offer a satisfactory means of distinguishing such individuals, and the only equitable basis of selecting personnel for physically demanding work seems a probationary period of employment.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Shephard
- School of Physical and Health Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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