Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there were significant mean score differences on selected fitness tests between cadets who sustained an injury while attending a 27-week state patrol training academy and their uninjured counterparts.
Methods: Archival data for eighty-one cadets from two 27-week state patrol training cohorts were utilized for this analysis. This data was collected as part of the agency’s normal training academy fitness assessment prior to commencement of training. The data included self-reported age (yrs); height (in) and weight (lbs); and push-up, sit-up, vertical jump and 20 meter multi-stage fitness test (20m-MSFT) scores. Injury was defined as any musculoskeletal damage that resulted in the cadet being assigned to altered training duty or that led to exit from the training academy. Injuries were routinely documented by the state patrol training staff and provided to the primary investigator for analysis. Fifteen cadets reported an injury during their time at the training academy. Independent t-tests were performed to examine mean score differences between injured and uninjured cadets. The level of statistical significance was set a priori at 0.05.
Results:Descriptive data for both injured and uninjured groups is presented in Table I, with any significant differences between injured and uninjured personnel in mean scores on the measured variables indicated by an asterisk. Injured personnel were significantly older and exhibited poorer push-up, sit-up, vertical jump and 20m-MSFT performance at baseline than their uninjured counterparts. Conclusion:There were significant mean score differences in age and fitness levels between injured and non-injured state patrol cadets attending academy training, with injured cadets being significantly older and less conditioned.
Practical application: Initial fitness levels may impact a cadets chance of successfully completing their academy training. Subsequently, acceptable, and legally defensible, entry level standards may reduce injuries (and associated costs) and improve cadet retention.
Methods: Archival data for eighty-one cadets from two 27-week state patrol training cohorts were utilized for this analysis. This data was collected as part of the agency’s normal training academy fitness assessment prior to commencement of training. The data included self-reported age (yrs); height (in) and weight (lbs); and push-up, sit-up, vertical jump and 20 meter multi-stage fitness test (20m-MSFT) scores. Injury was defined as any musculoskeletal damage that resulted in the cadet being assigned to altered training duty or that led to exit from the training academy. Injuries were routinely documented by the state patrol training staff and provided to the primary investigator for analysis. Fifteen cadets reported an injury during their time at the training academy. Independent t-tests were performed to examine mean score differences between injured and uninjured cadets. The level of statistical significance was set a priori at 0.05.
Results:Descriptive data for both injured and uninjured groups is presented in Table I, with any significant differences between injured and uninjured personnel in mean scores on the measured variables indicated by an asterisk. Injured personnel were significantly older and exhibited poorer push-up, sit-up, vertical jump and 20m-MSFT performance at baseline than their uninjured counterparts. Conclusion:There were significant mean score differences in age and fitness levels between injured and non-injured state patrol cadets attending academy training, with injured cadets being significantly older and less conditioned.
Practical application: Initial fitness levels may impact a cadets chance of successfully completing their academy training. Subsequently, acceptable, and legally defensible, entry level standards may reduce injuries (and associated costs) and improve cadet retention.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - Jul 2016 |
| Event | 2016 National Strenght and Conditionaing Association National Conference - New Orleans, United States Duration: 6 Jul 2016 → 9 Jul 2016 https://www.nsca.com/Events/Conferences/ |
Conference
| Conference | 2016 National Strenght and Conditionaing Association National Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | NSCA |
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | New Orleans |
| Period | 6/07/16 → 9/07/16 |
| Internet address |