Effects of Personal Protective Equipment on the Performance of Federal Highway Policemen in Physical Fitness Tests

Abstract

Marins, EF, Cabistany, L, Bartel, C, Dawes, J, and Del Vecchio, FB. Effects of personal protective equipment on the performance of Federal Highway Policemen in physical fitness tests. J Strength Cond Res 34(1): 11–19, 2020—Personal protective equipment (PPE), worn by police officers, provides protection and can modify physiological and performance responses during physical efforts. Physiological, perceptual, and physical responses were compared with PPE (WPPE) and without PPE (NPPE) among the Brazilian Federal Highway Policemen (FHP). Nineteen (n = 19) FHP completed 2 experimental trials: NPPE and WPPE (load = 8.3 kg). Tests of aerobic and anaerobic power, muscular strength and endurance, as well as change of direction speed (CODS) were performed under both conditions. Heart rate reductions were shown at the second ventilatory threshold (1.4%) and maximal exercise (1.5%) WPPE. In comparison with NPPE, physical performance in the WPPE condition showed decreases in the following: treadmill time at maximal exercise (21%, p < 0.001); time in the isometric trunk test (28.9%, p < 0.001); vertical jump height (11.6 and 10.5%, p < 0.001); standing long jump distance (7.3%, p < 0.001); bar hang time (14.8%, p < 0.05); and CODS (2.6%, p < 0.05). Results indicate that PPE use reduces physical performance of FHP in cardiorespiratory, strength, power, and CODS tests.

Normative Values for Health-Related Physical Fitness in First-Year Police Officers

“…These results are in line with the findings of this study, where the mean V Ȯ2 max value measured indirectly from a 2.4-km run is 45 mlO 2 •kg 21 •min 21 and the result from 2.4-km run is 793 seconds. The accumulating evidence has shown that most studies estimate aerobic capacity from indirect measures, i.e., the Cooper test, 2.4-km run, 1.6-km run, and the 20-m multiple shuttle-run test (14). Findings for both 2.4-km run and indirect V Ȯ2 max measures in "very poor" (,20th percentile) and "poor" (20th-40th percentile) vs. "high" (60th-80th percentile) and "very high" (.80th percentile) aerobic capacity level may add a significant guideline in detecting those applicants with lower cardiorespiratory fitness level.…”

“…Police officers often require having physical fitness at higher level, because of specific tasks and demands of running, jumping, carrying heavy objects, and being concentrated (8,13). Numerous studies have been conducted regarding the level of physical fitness in police officers (1,6,8,9,(12)(13)(14)16,17). In general, the most recent systematic review has shown that police officers have "good" aerobic capacity, "better" musculoskeletal power, and "regular" (for men) and "good" (for women) flexibility, when comparing with general population (14).…”

“…Numerous studies have been conducted regarding the level of physical fitness in police officers (1,6,8,9,(12)(13)(14)16,17). In general, the most recent systematic review has shown that police officers have "good" aerobic capacity, "better" musculoskeletal power, and "regular" (for men) and "good" (for women) flexibility, when comparing with general population (14).…”

“…Although the characteristics of physical fitness in police officers have been well-documented (1,6,8,9,(12)(13)(14)16,17), little evidence has been provided regarding physical fitness normative data in this population. To the best of their knowledge, only a handful of studies have aimed to create normative data for police officers and military personnel (3,7,9).…”

Effects of Carrying Police Equipment on Spatiotemporal and Kinetic Gait Parameters in First Year Police Officers

“…Carrying excessive load represents a main physical activity for duty officers, especially police [ 1 ]. Police officers are considered as performing at the maximal level, executing highly demanding everyday activities, including running, jumping and carrying heavy objects [ 2 , 3 ]. Such extreme loading conditions may lead to a deviated foot function and structure [ 4 ].…”