A Retrospective Analysis of Southeastern U.S. Police Recruit Health and Fitness from 4 Points in Time Within a 16-Year Period: Implications for Physical Fitness Training

Drawing from the general population for its recruiting needs, police departments often employ academy curricula to improve a recruit’s fitness so they can perform occupational tasks. Recently, obesity and physical inactivity have increased in the general population, potentially influencing the health and fitness of incoming recruits. This study involved a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of health and fitness data of police recruits. Data from one police department in southeastern USA were analyzed at four specific time points, splitting the recruits into natural immerging groups; 2003 (n=93), 2006 (n=137), 2009 (n=74), and 2019 (n=242). Health and fitness data for all recruits included: age, height, body mass, and body mass index (BMI); systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP); sit-and-reach; combined grip strength; push-ups and sit-ups completed in 60 s; physical ability test (PAT) time; and 2.4-km run time. Several univariate analyses, with sex and age as covariates (ANCOVA), and a Bonferroni post hoc, determined if there were significant between-group differences. Effect sizes (d) were also calculated. Key results demonstrated that 2019 recruits were heavier than the recruits in 2006 and 2009 (p≤0.032; d=0.14-0.38); had a greater BMI (p≤0.028; d=0.24-0.75) and systolic BP (p<0.001; d=0.47-0.65), and lesser sit-and-reach distance (p≤0.020; d=0.26-0.46), than all recruit groups; completed fewer sit-up repetitions than the recruits in 2006 and 2009 (p≤0.025; d=0.42-0.48); and were slower in the 2.4-km run than the recruits in 2006 (p=0.009; d=0.36). Police training staff may need to address lesser health (BMI, BP) and fitness (hamstring flexibility, abdominal endurance, aerobic fitness) in incoming recruits.