Abstract
Aim: to examine the effectiveness of a load carriage assistance device (LCAD) on specialist police mobility and marksmanship.
Design: A randomized counter-balanced study.
Method: Six specialist police officers (age = 41.1±6.2 years, weight = 88.4±9.2 kg) completed 2x2 trials of a tactical course as quickly as possible with and without a Reaper™ LCAD (randomised), worn to support the load of their ballistic shield (±20 kg). Heart rate was measured via an Equivital™ harnesses and marksmanship via distance from centre of target (DCOT). Perceived LCAD impacts were measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Bond University Human Research Ethics Committee provided ethics approval (RO1585).
Results: No significant differences were found for heart rate (non-Reaper™=152.20±7.29 bpm; Reaper™=152.01±12.97 bpm, p=0.910) or completion time (non-Reaper™=80.46±13.98 secs, Reaper™=76.82±11.23 secs, p=0.130); although a trend towards faster times wearing the ReaperTM was found. Marksmanship was not significantly different between trials however officers lowered the shield on the ground during the non-Reaper™ trials to engage the target. The VAS results were significantly poorer (p<0.001) in non-Reaper™ (-5.58±1.93 mm) versus Reaper™ (2.88±4.90 mm) trials.
Conclusion: Officers considered the riot shield to negatively impact their performance to a lesser degree when assisted by the LCAD. The ability to support the shield on the LCAD allowed officers to maintain protection behind a riot shield.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 492 |
| 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! |
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