Ann Occup Environ Med.  2016 ;28(1):26. 10.1186/s40557-016-0112-5.

Associations between anthropometric characteristics and physical performance in male law enforcement officers: a retrospective cohort study

• Dawes JJ
• Orr RM
• Siekaniec
• Vanderwoude AA
• Pope R

• KMID: 2370906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0112-5

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Police officers are often required to undertake physically demanding tasks, like lifting, dragging and pursuing a suspect. Therefore, physical performance is a key requirement.
METHODS
Retrospective data for 76 male police officers (mean age"‰="‰39.42"‰±"‰8.41 years; mean weight"‰="‰84.21"‰±"‰12.91 kg) was obtained. Data included anthropometric (skinfolds, estimated percentage body fat, lean body mass and fat mass) and physical performance (1 Repetition Maximum Bench Press, 1-min sit-ups, 1-min push-ups, vertical jump, 300 m run, 1.5 mile run) measures and correlations between anthropometric measurement and fitness score were obtained.
RESULTS
Estimated percentage body fat was significantly (p"‰â‰¤"‰.001) and negatively correlated with all performance measures, except sit-ups and 300 m and 1.5 mile run performance. Estimated lean body mass was significantly and positively (p"‰â‰¤"‰.001) correlated with push-ups, bench press and vertical jump measures, while increasing estimated fat mass was significantly (p"‰â‰¤"‰.001) associated with reduced performance on sit-up, vertical jump, 1.5 mile run and estimated maximal voluntary oxygen uptake.
CONCLUSIONS
A targeted approach, going beyond just decreasing percentage body fat to also selectively increasing lean mass, should be applied for optimal improvement in physical fitness performance.

Keyword

Keywords; Police; Body fat; Fitness; Strength; Tactical

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Cohort Studies*
Humans
Jurisprudence*
Law Enforcement*
Lifting
Male*
Oxygen
Physical Fitness
Police*
Retrospective Studies*
Oxygen