Abstract
Aim: To profile the fitness of two groups of Australian Specialist Police.
Design: Retrospective Cohort Study
Method: De-identified data of 17 male specialist police officers from two specialist police response groups (Riot Squad (RS) and Police Tactical Group (PTG)) were provided. Data included demographics (age, height, and weight), strength (1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) bench press, deadlift, pull-up + Body Weight (BW), and squat), speed (0-10m acceleration & 10-20m peak velocity), agility (box agility drill), aerobic capacity (30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test) and power (bench throw and countermovement jump).
Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, although officers from RS were, on average, older (1.45yrs, p=0.390), shorter (-2.04cm, p=0.15), and lighter (-3.43kg, p=0.55) than PTG officers. PTG officers had significantly greater strength (1RM deadlift = 38.50kg, p= 0.001, 95% CI [17.62-59.38], 1RM squat = 34.00kg, p< 0.001, 95% CI [16.6-51.5], 1RM bench press = 26.83kg, p=0.004, 95% CI [9.8-43.8]) and
quicker acceleration (0.11sec, p=0.032, 95% CI [0.01-0.21]) than RS officers. Both groups performed at a level comparable to elite athletes for most other measures.
Conclusion: Specialist police possess high levels of aerobic fitness, strength, acceleration, and power, with subtle differences between units, thought to be due to varying occupational roles. This study provides benchmarks for selection, return-to-work practices and maintenance programs for health professionals working within these units.
Design: Retrospective Cohort Study
Method: De-identified data of 17 male specialist police officers from two specialist police response groups (Riot Squad (RS) and Police Tactical Group (PTG)) were provided. Data included demographics (age, height, and weight), strength (1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) bench press, deadlift, pull-up + Body Weight (BW), and squat), speed (0-10m acceleration & 10-20m peak velocity), agility (box agility drill), aerobic capacity (30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test) and power (bench throw and countermovement jump).
Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, although officers from RS were, on average, older (1.45yrs, p=0.390), shorter (-2.04cm, p=0.15), and lighter (-3.43kg, p=0.55) than PTG officers. PTG officers had significantly greater strength (1RM deadlift = 38.50kg, p= 0.001, 95% CI [17.62-59.38], 1RM squat = 34.00kg, p< 0.001, 95% CI [16.6-51.5], 1RM bench press = 26.83kg, p=0.004, 95% CI [9.8-43.8]) and
quicker acceleration (0.11sec, p=0.032, 95% CI [0.01-0.21]) than RS officers. Both groups performed at a level comparable to elite athletes for most other measures.
Conclusion: Specialist police possess high levels of aerobic fitness, strength, acceleration, and power, with subtle differences between units, thought to be due to varying occupational roles. This study provides benchmarks for selection, return-to-work practices and maintenance programs for health professionals working within these units.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 489 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Oct 2023 |
| Event | Australian Physiotherapy Association: INGNITE Physiotherapy Conference 2023 - Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane, Australia Duration: 5 Oct 2023 → 7 Oct 2023 https://ignite2023.physio/ |
Conference
| Conference | Australian Physiotherapy Association |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | INGNITE 2023 |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Brisbane |
| Period | 5/10/23 → 7/10/23 |
| Other | We have the chance to take physiotherapy to new levels and ignite the future of the profession through innovation and collaboration. Barriers can be broken down and communities connected. Physiotherapists can look to the future and commit to excellence and equality, for themselves and the profession. Challenges can be made and met, passions ignited for what is possible. We can evolve and explore the possibilities and make sure that physiotherapy comes out better than ever before. By igniting your imagination, great things can be achieved! |
| Internet address |