Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine if there were differences in physical fitness performance across different cohorts of successful candidates attending law enforcement agency (LEA) training. Design and Methods:Retrospective, non-identifiable, data from three training cohorts, comprising 226 LEA candidates (♂ = 196: ♀ = 30) were analyzed. Data from a standard testing battery used to screen new candidates on entry were used to inform physical fitness performance. This battery included: maximal number of push-up and sit-up repetitions in 60 seconds (s); a 75-yard pursuit run (75PR) around a pre-determined course designed to mimic a foot pursuit; an arm ergometer test where candidates completed as many revolutions in 60 s; and the 2.4 kilometer (km) run. A one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc adjustments compared age and test results across the classes. Alpha levels were set at p < 0.05 a priori.Results: There were no significant (p = 0.091-0.458) differences between the three cohorts for age, maximal number of push-ups and sit-ups completed in 60 s, time to complete the 75PR, number of revolutions completed in the 60 s arm ergometer test, or time to complete the 2.4 km run. Conclusions:The level of physical fitness for new candidates attending LEA training, as measured by the testing battery, was similar across cohorts attending training and as such physical training programs to prepare new candidates for LEA duties may not need to be different. However, trainers should be aware of individual variations in physical characteristics within classes to optimize individual gains.(Journal of Trainology 2018;7:5-9)
The aim of this study was to determine if there were differences in aerobic fitness between recruits who completed or failed a physical training (PT) session on day one of law enforcement agency (LEA) academy training. Design and Methods: Retrospective data from one class comprising 101 LEA recruits (♂ = 78; ♀ = 23) were analyzed. Recruits completed the multistage fitness test (MSFT) three days prior to academy. The number of completed shuttles and estimated maximal aerobic capacity (V • O2max) derived from this test provided measures of aerobic fitness. LEA staff ran the PT session on day one, which incorporated psychological stress, calisthenics, and a 2-mile (3.22-km) formation run completed at a 10 minute•mile-1 pace. Failure to complete the run resulted in PT failure. A one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) calculated between-sex differences; univariate repeated measures ANCOVA (sex was a covariate) derived differences between those that completed or failed the PT session. Results: Males completed more MSFT shuttles and had a higher V • O2max than females (p < 0.01). Eighty-six recruits (♂ = 70; ♀ = 16) completed the PT session; 15 (♂ = 8; ♀ = 7) did not. Recruits that completed the PT session were younger, lighter, completed 57% more MSFT shuttles, and had a 25% greater estimated V • O2max (p ≤ 0.03). Conclusions: Higher aerobic fitness, measured via the MSFT, likely contributed to law enforcement recruits successfully completing a PT session conducted on day one of academy training. The PT session intensity affected older recruits and females more. These recruits in particular should enhance aerobic fitness prior to academy to successfully complete this, and potentially future, PT.
Dawes, JJ, Lopes dos Santos, M, Kornhauser, C, Holmes, RJ, Alvar, BA, Lockie, RG, and Orr, RM. Longitudinal changes in health and fitness measures among state patrol officers by sex. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): 881–886, 2023—Research suggests that police officers lose fitness as a result of their policing vocation with occupational factors like stress, shift work, poor sleep, and poor diet all contributors to this loss The purpose of this research was to measure changes in fitness test scores of qualified police officers over a 5-year period. Archived fitness data for 523 state patrol officers (n = 494 men; 29 women) from one agency were used for this analysis. These tests included 60-second sit-up [SU] and push-up [PU] scores (muscular endurance), vertical jump height [VJ] (lower-body power), and 20-m multistage fitness test (aerobic capacity). A series of paired-samples t-tests and effect size calculations were used to investigate mean differences in fitness tests score at the beginning and end of a 5-year period. The paired-samples t test showed significant tests score decreases among male officers over the 5-year period in VJ, PU, and V̇o2max,, with no differences observed in SU performance. Small effect sizes were observed in both VJ (g = −0.20) and PU (g = −0.27) with a trivial effect size observed in changes to V̇o2max (g = −0.14). In contrast, significant improvements in performance were observed in SU performance among female officers, with a small effect size (g = 0.38). No other significant differences were found in female measures. Whether at an organizational or individual level, annual fitness assessments for police officers can serve to educate and motivate officers regarding their personal fitness and potentially slow the negative impact of aging on health, fitness, and performance in these populations.
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common disorders which affect the joints of the body, and is the most common form of arthritis. 1 OA is manifested by joint pain, aching, stiffness, functional limitation, and progressive disability. 2 The diagnosis of OA is based on clinical and radiographic criteria. 3 Clinical diagnosis of OA is made through both the
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