Fitness Characteristics of a Suburban Special Weapons and Tactics Team

Pryor, Riana R.; Colburn, Deanna; Crill, Matthew T.; Hostler, David; Suyama, Joe

doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e318225f177

Cited by 59 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…Vertical jump (VJ) height provides an indirect measure of lower-body power [10], and thus features in many testing batteries for LEOs [2, 11–15]. VJ height was measured using a Just Jump (ProBotics Inc, Huntsville, Al) electrical contact operated system.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

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: Methodsmentioning

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

“…The physical demands of law enforcement duties may include running varied distances with and without loads, restraining non-compliant offenders, carrying injured or unconscious people, self-defence manoeuvres, and manual handling tasks [2]. Sudden external forces when controlling a suspect or offender who is resisting arrest, trips and falls, and strains and sprains can all contribute to the high risk of injury within the law enforcement occupation [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Profile of Injuries Sustained by Law Enforcement Officers: A Critical Review

Lyons

Radburn

Orr

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Due to the unpredictable, varied and often physical nature of law enforcement duties, police officers are at a high risk of work-related physical injury. The aim of this critical narrative review was to identify and synthesize key findings of studies that have investigated musculoskeletal injuries sustained by law enforcement officers during occupational tasks. A systematic search of four databases using key search terms was conducted to identify potentially relevant studies, which were assessed against key inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine studies to be included in the review. Included studies were critically appraised and the level of evidence determined. Relevant data were extracted, tabulated and synthesized. The 16 identified studies ranged in percentage quality scores from 25.00% to 65.00%, with a mean score of 41.25% and high interrater agreement in scores reflected in a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, κ = 0.977. The most common body site of injury was the upper extremity, the most common injury types were soft-tissue sprains and strains and the most common cause of injury was a non-compliant offender, often involving assault. However, there was limited peer reviewed research in this area and the published research had a narrow focus and was of low to fair methodological quality.

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“…Total weight of external loads can range from approximately 3.5 kg [3] for the general duty officer to 22 kg in specialist police [5] and may even exceed 40 kg in certain circumstances [6]. This upward trend in carried loads is due not only to the increasing complexity of modern tactical engagements [7], but also to the increased emphasis on improving survival without reducing unit mobility [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of body armor on physical performance of law enforcement personnel: a systematic review

Tomes¹,

Orr²,

Pope³

2017

Ann of Occup and Environ Med

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BackgroundThe law enforcement officer profession requires performance of arduous occupational tasks while carrying an external load, consisting of, at minimum, a chest rig, a communication system, weaponry, handcuffs, personal protective equipment and a torch. The aim of this systematic review of the literature was to identify and critically appraise the methodological quality of published studies that have investigated the impacts of body armour on task performance and to synthesize and report key findings from these studies to inform law enforcement organizations.MethodsSeveral literature databases (Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, EMBAS) were searched using key search words and terms to identify appropriate studies. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were critically evaluated using the Downs and Black protocol with inter-rater agreement determined by Cohen’s Kappa.ResultsSixteen articles were retained for evaluation with a mean Downs and Black score of 73.2 ± 6.8% (k = 0.841). Based on the research quality and findings across the included studies, this review determined that while effects of body armour on marksmanship and physiological responses have not yet been adequately ascertained, body armour does have significant physical performance and biomechanical impacts on the wearer, including: a) increased ratings of perceived exertion and increased time to complete functional tasks, b) decreased work capability (indicated by deterioration in fitness test scores), c) decreased balance and stability, and d) increased ground reaction forces.ConclusionsGiven the physical performance and biomechanical impacts on the wearer, body armour should be carefully selected, with consideration of the physical fitness of the wearers and the degree to which the armour systems can be ergonomically optimized for the specific population in question.

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Fitness Characteristics of a Suburban Special Weapons and Tactics Team

Cited by 59 publications

References 19 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

A Profile of Injuries Sustained by Law Enforcement Officers: A Critical Review

The impact of body armor on physical performance of law enforcement personnel: a systematic review

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