Identifying the Physical Fitness and Health Evaluations for Police Officers: Brief Systematic Review with an Emphasis on the Portuguese Research

Massuça, Luís Miguel; Santos, Vanessa; Monteiro, Luís Fernandes

doi:10.3390/biology11071061

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…There is considerable scientific evidence that the PF of this TP is below the general population and health recommendations [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. It has been extensively studied and shown that physical components such as cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and others are closely related to health parameters and improved quality of life and, consequently, enhanced job skills [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In accordance, a decline in exercise practice has implications for the health of TP, which ultimately impacts the organizations themselves (lower productivity levels [ 11 ]), given they are one of their greatest assets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Training Programs for Tactical Populations: Brief Systematic Review

2023

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This review aims (i) to identify and analyze the physical training programs used for tactical personnel (TP) and (ii) to understand the effects of physical training programs on the health and fitness, and occupational performance of tactical personnel. A literature search used the keywords ‘Physical Training Program’, ‘Police’, ‘Law Enforcement’, and ‘Firefighter’. A total of 23 studies out of 11.508 analyzed were included. All studies showed acceptable methodological quality in assessing physical fitness (PF), and training programs’ effect sizes (Cohen’s d) on PF attributes were calculated. The results showed that physical training programs (duration > four weeks) can improve (medium-to-large effects) (i) measures of physical fitness and (ii) performance in simulations of occupationally specific tasks. This review provides summary information (i) to help select (or adjust) physical training programs for TP and (ii) to clarify the effect of different occupational-specific training interventions on fitness measures and health-related parameters for TP.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Training Programs for Tactical Populations: Brief Systematic Review

2023

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“…Also regarding age, Kukić et al [ 21 ] conducted a study with the aim of understanding whether there are significant differences in body composition between female POs of different ages, finding an increase in body mass index values, i.e., as people age, not only women but also men, tend to lose lean mass, resulting in a loss of strength, power, speed, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory capacity [ 25 ]. Given the indirect relationship that appears to exist between age and PF, POs must strive to maintain their level of PF as they age [ 4 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Maintaining physical fitness (PF) is essential to efficiently face the demands of this profession, as it is considered critical to adequately perform the activities associated with their role [ 1 ]. In this context, the literature highlights body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, agility, and speed as relevant attributes for the performance of the police profession [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], as well as a guarantee of health and well-being [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Fitness and Psychosocial Profiles of Policewomen from Professional Training Courses and Bodyguard Special Police Sub-Unit

Carrilho,

Santos,

Rasteiro

et al. 2023

EJIHPE

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Police work demands a high level of physical fitness (PF) and psychosocial well-being (PSWB) to cope with the challenges and demands of the profession. The profession has historically been male-dominated, and female police officers (POs) face unique challenges and stereotypes. This study aims (i) to identify the PF and PSWB attributes that significantly distinguish the women from three different professional training courses (agents, chiefs, and officers) and (ii) to assess the significance of PF and PSWB attributes on the likelihood that women in professional training courses belonging to a special bodyguard police sub-unit. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted, involving 102 female POs (professional PO training courses, n = 94; special bodyguard police sub-unit, n = 8). PF (morphology; fitness, including endurance, strength, and flexibility tests) and PSWB (measured through scales for grit and dispositional resilience) attributes were assessed. Significant differences were observed in age, morphological (height and waist-to-hip ratio), fitness (horizontal jump and endurance tests), and PSWB (perseverance in effort and alienation) attributes among the three professional training courses. Stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, relative fat mass, relative muscle mass, horizontal jump, and endurance on exertion significantly distinguished between the three groups. Complementarily, it was observed that the waist-to-hip ratio and sit-up attributes influence the probability of women from the professional training courses joining the special bodyguard police sub-unit. The study highlights that (i) female POs in different professional training courses showed distinct PF and PSWB profiles, and (ii) only two PF attributes (waist-to-hip ratio and sit-up) were predictors for the special bodyguard police sub-unit. In accordance, these findings provide valuable insights for designing training programs to support female POs in improving their PF, psychological well-being, and overall performance in the police profession.

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“…The protocol started with a 5 min warm-up at the maximal velocity reached on the shuttle run test. The shuttle run test has been selected as one of the most commonly used tests to assess cardiorespiratory capacity, as shown by Massuça et al [ 18 ]. The velocity was increased by 26.8 m/min every 2 min for 4 min, after which treadmill grade was increased by 2.5% every minute until volitional exhaustion.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Acute Arterial Responses Following a Rescue Simulation and Maximal Exercise in Professional Firefighters

et al. 2023

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Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of on-duty deaths among firefighters. Screening firefighters for risk of sudden cardiac event is a critical element of a comprehensive medical program. Although intense physical exertion has been shown to trigger sudden cardiac events in the general population, it is unclear how hemodynamic responses following clinical exercise testing compare to that of performing firefighting tasks in personal protective equipment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare hemodynamic responses following rescue simulation (RS) and maximal exercise in firefighters. This was a cross-over repeated measures study. Thirty-eight professional firefighters (31.8 ± 5.2 yr; VO2peak: 57.9 mL/kg/min) completed a maximal aerobic exercise test (MAET) and an RS. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse pressure (PP), and brachial and central mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured before and 5 and 15 min post-exercise. The findings indicated that femoral PWV decreased after MAET and RS at both time points (p < 0.005). No significant differences were found in aortic and carotid PWV over time or between conditions (p ≥ 0.05). Significant increases in brachial and central PP and MAP were noted 5 min post-MAET and RS (p = 0.004). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that peripheral arterial stiffness (AS) decreased in firefighters following both conditions, with no differences in central AS. Our findings provide valuable information on hemodynamic responses similar between RS and MAET, and are important for controlling CVD risk and the AS response.

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Identifying the Physical Fitness and Health Evaluations for Police Officers: Brief Systematic Review with an Emphasis on the Portuguese Research

Cited by 8 publications

References 29 publications

Physical Training Programs for Tactical Populations: Brief Systematic Review

Physical Training Programs for Tactical Populations: Brief Systematic Review

Physical Fitness and Psychosocial Profiles of Policewomen from Professional Training Courses and Bodyguard Special Police Sub-Unit

Comparison of Acute Arterial Responses Following a Rescue Simulation and Maximal Exercise in Professional Firefighters

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