The Relationship between Fitness and Marksmanship in Police Officers

Abstract

Police officers may be required to discharge their weapon under physical duress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fitness and marksmanship to facilitate future strategies to improve marksmanship. Retrospective data were provided for thirty-four police officers (mean age = 40.48 ± 6.66 years: mean weight = 100.60 ± 19.82 kg: mean height = 180.42 ± 6.87 cm) from a US-based law enforcement agency. Data included four different fitness measures and three different shooting scenarios. No significant relationship was observed between the three different shooting scenarios. There was a significant relationship between shuttle run and static shoot (r = 0.528, p = 0.002), grip strength and the dynamic scenario (r = −0.367, p = 0.035) and leg strength and the positive identification scenario (r = 0.344, p = 0.050). This study demonstrated that a high variety of fitness training and marksmanship practice, under various occupational scenarios, may be required to ensure optimal police shooting accuracy whilst in the field.

Effect of grip size and grip strength on pistol marksmanship in police officers: A pilot study

“…Furthermore, the significant correlations (p < .0001) between grip strength and marksmanship performance were better in the non-dominant hand (left hand: r = .475) than the dominant hand (right hand: r = .398). Conversely, Muirhead et al (2019) found that while grip strength was significantly correlated to marksmanship scores in a dynamic shooting scenario (r = -.367, p < .05), it did not correlate to the other marksmanship shooting events (static shoot, r = -.001; positive identification shoot, r = 0.040). Muirhead et al (2019) detailed a potential explanation for the conflicting results between studies in that there were no correlations between the different shooting scenarios.…”

“…Conversely, Muirhead et al (2019) found that while grip strength was significantly correlated to marksmanship scores in a dynamic shooting scenario (r = -.367, p < .05), it did not correlate to the other marksmanship shooting events (static shoot, r = -.001; positive identification shoot, r = 0.040). Muirhead et al (2019) detailed a potential explanation for the conflicting results between studies in that there were no correlations between the different shooting scenarios. In addition to static and dynamic shooting scenarios, research has shown that increases in distance can negatively impact accuracy and variance (Dopsaj et al, 2020;Dopsaj et al, 2019).…”

“…Furthermore, poor accuracy may also result in innocent civilians being struck by a missed shot. Grip strength is thought to play an important role in police officer marksmanship (Muirhead et al, 2019;Orr et al, 2017). In a study of 169 police recruits, found that recruits who passed their initial marksmanship shoot had significantly (p < .001) greater left and right hand grip strength scores than those who failed.…”

Special Weapons and Tactics Occupational-Specific Physical Assessments and Fitness Measures

“…As such, grip endurance may be a more important factor. Furthermore, research by Muirhead et al [28] has shown that grip strength can range from negatively (r = −0.367) to positively (r = 0.040) correlating with police officer marksmanship task (aim was the highest possible score) depending on the nature of the shooting task. As such, the nature of the marksmanship component in the OPSA may have influenced the grip strength requirement to align and hold a sight picture on the target with their weapon and, as correct sight pictures were a requirement before progressing in the OPSA, may have influenced outcome times.…”

Relationships Between Absolute and Relative Strength and Power in Male Police Officers of Varying Strength Levels

“…Absolute strength as measured by an isometric leg/back dynamometer (LBDa) was found to not differentiate between high and low performers in a group of officers performing an occupationally specific physical agility test (PAT) [11]. In contrast, Muirhead et al (2019) reported that LBDa scores were associated with a positive identification shooting scenario (r = 0.344, P < 0.05) and the officers' total score across the three marksmanship scenarios (i.e., static marksmanship, move and shoot, positive identification) performed in this study (r = 0.350, P < 0.05). Based on these findings, it is evident that the relationships between relative strength by an isometric leg/back dynamometer (LBDr) and an lower body power among law enforcement officers of varying strength levels has not been fully explored.…”