A Comparison of Training and Physical Performance of Police Students at the Start and the End of Three-Year Police Education

Lagestad, Pål Arild; Tillaar, Roland van den

doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000000273

Cited by 32 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…When comparing mean ages of other research samples in law enforcement, the demographic profiles in this study were similar. For example, in research conducted with male police academy cadets mean ages of 23.7 years [28], 24.6 years [29], and 27.4 years [12] mean weights were reported as being 82.1 kg [28], 82.4 kg [29], and 85.4 kg [12] respectively with the mean male weight in this study for the 20–29 year old age group being 84.85 kg. Likewise, in research including incumbent officers, demographic samples included mean ages of 37.0 year [30], 37.1 year [29], and 37.9 years [31] with a mean mass of 88.7 kg [31], 90.2 kg [30], 94.6 kg [29], respectively compared to a mean weight of 91.4 kg in the 30–39 year age category in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A physical fitness profile of state highway patrol officers by gender and age

Dawes¹,

Orr²,

Flores³

et al. 2017

Ann of Occup and Environ Med

280

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BackgroundLaw 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.MethodsRetrospective 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.ResultsThere 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.ConclusionMale 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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A physical fitness profile of state highway patrol officers by gender and age

Dawes¹,

Orr²,

Flores³

et al. 2017

Ann of Occup and Environ Med

280

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…3,4 As such, testing batteries that assess qualities needed to safely and efficiently complete the required training and occupational tasks are often performed at the LEA training institution. 1,9,10 Physical tests commonly used across different LEAs as part of these testing barriers often include push-ups and sit-ups to measure muscle endurance, and timed runs over certain distances (e.g. 2.4 kilometer [km], or 1.5 mile, run) to assess aerobic capacity and general fitness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are there similarities in physical fitness characteristics of successful candidates attending law enforcement training regardless of training cohort?

Lockie¹,

Stierli²,

Dawes³

et al. 2018

Journal of Trainology

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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)

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“…Some of these tasks may include checking the identity of individuals, responding to a domestic incidents, and effecting an arrest [1]. To perform these duties safely and effectively, it is important for an Officer to have sufficient muscular power, strength and endurance, and cardiovascular endurance [2][3][4][5]. It is, therefore, not surprising that research has documented the importance and association of physical fitness with performance of routine policing tasks [2,3,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing levels of fitness of police Officers between two United States law enforcement agencies

Myers

Orr

Goad

et al. 2019

WOR

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BACKGROUND: The general physical task demands of law enforcement may suggest that police Officers are of similar fitness levels across cities, states and countries. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether fitness levels of police Officers from two different United States (U.S.) Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) are similar. METHODS: Retrospective data were analysed from two LEAs (LEA1 n=79 and LEA2 n=319). The data for Officers included: age, mass, 1-minute push-up repetitions, 1-minute sit-up repetitions, vertical jump height, 2.4-km run time (LEA 1) and 20-meter Multi-Stage Fitness Test results (LEA 2). Independent samples t-tests were used to compare anthropometric and fitness data between LEA with significance set at 0.05. RESULTS: Officers from LEA1 weighed significantly less and performed significantly better than Officers from LEA2 on all fitness measures. When comparing male Officers alone, there was no statistical difference in age and mass; nonetheless, Officers from LEA1 significantly outperformed Officers from LEA2 on all fitness measures. CONCLUSION: While similarities / differences in job tasks performed between these two LEA are not known, the results from 4 this study suggest differences in fitness between these two different U.S. LEA. Fitness standards and training protocols need to be developed and contextualized to each LEA's specific population and needs.

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A Comparison of Training and Physical Performance of Police Students at the Start and the End of Three-Year Police Education

Cited by 32 publications

References 12 publications

A physical fitness profile of state highway patrol officers by gender and age

A physical fitness profile of state highway patrol officers by gender and age

Are there similarities in physical fitness characteristics of successful candidates attending law enforcement training regardless of training cohort?

Comparing levels of fitness of police Officers between two United States law enforcement agencies

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