Relationships Between Strength and Power With the 74.84-kg (165-lb) and 90.72-kg (200-lb) Body Drags.

ABSTRACT: Moreno, MR, Dawes, JJ, Orr, RM, Dulla, JM, and Lockie, RG. Relationships between strength and power with the 74.84-kg (165-lb) and 90.72-kg (200-lb) body drags. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): 1305-1313, 2024-A body drag is an essential job task in law enforcement. It is purported that strength and power should contribute to this task, but there has been limited analysis. This study examined strength (1-repetition maximum hexagonal bar deadlift [1RM HBD]) and power (vertical jump [VJ], standing broad jump [SBJ]) relationships with the 74.84-kg and 90.72-kg body drags. Forty-three civilians (24 men and 19 women) completed the SBJ, VJ, and 1RM HBD in 1 session. Peak anaerobic power measured in watts (PAPw) was derived from the VJ. Relative measures were calculated from the SBJ, PAPw, and HBD. In another 2 sessions, subjects completed 74.84-kg and 90.72-kg drags in a counterbalanced order using 2 techniques: standard and adapted (time taken to pick dummy up from ground included in time). Independent samples t-tests compared the sexes and subjects who could or could not complete all drags. Partial correlations and stepwise regression, both controlling for sex, examined relationships between strength and power and the drags. In general, men outperformed women in almost all tests (p ≤ 0.024). Thirty-five subjects completed all drags and were stronger and more powerful than subjects who could not (p ≤ 0.011). The SBJ correlated with the 74.84-kg standard (r = -0.355) and 90.72-kg adapted (r = -0.373) drags; the VJ correlated with the 74.84-kg standard drag (r = -0.356). Peak anaerobic power measured in watts and 1RM HBD correlated with all drags (r = -0.382 to -0.668); PAPw was involved in all significant predictive relationships (explained variance = 34-62%). Absolute strength and power training should be a focus for recruits to enhance their ability to perform dragging tasks, especially with heavier masses.

Relationships Between Physical Ability Test Performance and Fitness in Recruits From a Southeastern U.S. Police Department.

ABSTRACT: Lockie, RG, Orr, RM, Sanchez, KJ, Gonzales, SM, Viramontes, E, Kennedy, K, and Dawes, JJ. Relationships between physical ability test performance and fitness in recruits from a southeastern U.S. police department. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Police recruit occupational ability may be predicted by a physical ability test (PAT). This study determined relationships between a department-specific PAT and fitness test performance among police recruits. Retrospective analysis was conducted on recruit data (1,069 men and 404 women) from one department collected during 2005-2009 and 2016-2020. The following data were provided: grip strength; sit-and-reach; 60-second push-ups; 60-second sit-ups; 2.4-km run; and the PAT. The PAT involved exiting a vehicle and opening the trunk; running ∼201 m; completing an obstacle course; dragging a 68-kg dummy 31 m; completing an obstacle course and running ∼201 m; dry firing a weapon 6 times with each hand; and trunk item placement and vehicle reentry. Relationships between the PAT and fitness tests were measured by partial correlations and stepwise linear regression, both controlling for sex. The PAT was completed in a mean time of 4:16 ± 1:07 minutes:seconds. The PAT significantly (p < 0.001) related to all fitness tests. Moderate relationships were found for push-ups (r = -0.35), sit-ups (r = -0.41), and the 2.4-km run (r = -0.43). Small relationships were found with grip strength (r = -0.19) and the sit-and-reach (r = -0.17). The final regression model, which included sex and all fitness tests except the sit-and-reach, explained ∼53% of the variance. Sex and the 2.4-km run explained ∼47% of the variance. Aerobic fitness appeared to have the greatest impact on PAT performance, which may have related to the PAT design and duration. Tasks completed in succession, and the use of a relatively light dummy, may stress aerobic fitness and muscular endurance to a greater extent.

Shoulder Taps: Relationships Between a New Movement Screening Assessment with Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement Recruits.

The overhead squat, as part of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), can analyze total- and lower-body mechanics. Shoulder taps, which incorporates a push-up position and challenges shoulder, trunk, and hip stability, may identify movement deficiencies indicated by multiple FMS actions which could be useful for law enforcement recruits. This study determined overhead squat and shoulder taps relationships, associations between these screens with body composition and fitness, and differences in body composition and fitness according to overhead squat/shoulder taps scores in recruits by sex. Retrospective analysis was conducted on 202 recruit datasets (158 males, 44 females), which included: overhead squat and shoulder taps scores; age, height, and body mass; skeletal muscle (SMM%) and body fat mass (BFM%) percentage; waist-to-hip ratio; grip strength; 60-s push-ups and sit-ups; 75-yard pursuit run; vertical jump; medicine ball throw; and multistage fitness test (MSFT). Spearman's correlations (p<0.05) determined relationships between the overhead squat and shoulder taps, and between the screens and other variables. Kruskall-Wallis H tests compared the variables when recruits were split into groups based on overhead squat/shoulder taps scores. A significant correlation was found between the screens for male (ρ=0.231) but not female (ρ=0.258) recruits. Overhead squat score had a moderate relationship with BFM% in females (ρ=-0.312). Shoulder taps had a small relationship with SMM% in males (ρ=0.163). There were no differences in body composition and fitness when recruits were split based on screen scores (p=0.086-0.994). While morphology may influence movement screen performance, the screens had minimal capacity for associating movement deficiencies to fitness.

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.

ABSTRACT: Gonzales, SM, Orr, RM, Coburn, JW, Hoffmann, MD, Kennedy, K, Dawes, JJ, and Lockie, RG. 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. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1118-1126, 2024-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 1 police department in southeastern United States were analyzed at 4 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 seconds; physical ability test time; and 2.4-km run time. Several univariate analyses, with sex and age as covariates (analyses of covariance), and a Bonferroni's post hoc, determined whether 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.

Age-Related Differences in Body Fat and Fitness of Firefighters Participating in a Health and Wellness Program.

ABSTRACT: Lockie, RG, Dulla, JM, Higuera, D, Ross, K, Orr, RM, Dawes, JJ, and Ruvalcaba, TJ. Age-related differences in body fat and fitness of firefighters participating in a health and wellness program. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1127-1135, 2024-Fitness tends to decline, whereas body fat increases, with age, which could impact firefighter occupational performance later in their careers. Health and wellness program participation could reduce these age-related changes. Archival data from 270 firefighters (258 men and 12 women) from a health and wellness program were analyzed. Data included body mass index; body fat percentage (BF%); waist circumference (WC); waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); sit and reach; grip strength; absolute and relative predicted 1 repetition maximum (1RM) leg press; crunches; push-ups; and estimated maximal aerobic capacity (V̇o2max). Firefighters were grouped by age ≤29 (n = 29); 30-34 (n = 44); 35-39 (n = 38); 40-44 (n = 39); 45-49 (n = 48); 50-54 (n = 42); and 55+ (n = 30) years. A univariate analysis of covariance, with sex as a covariate and Bonferroni's post hoc adjustment, determined between-group differences. Effect sizes (d) were calculated. Key results included that the 55+ group had higher BF% and WC compared with the 3 youngest groups (p ≤ 0.002; d = 0.86-1.08). The 50-54 group had higher BF% than the 30-34 group (p = 0.010; d = 0.77). The 55+ group had a greater WHR, lower grip strength, and completed fewer crunches and push-ups than most younger groups (p ≤ 0.05; d = 0.60-1.32). The 50-54 and 55+ groups had a lower 1RM leg press and V̇o2max compared with the younger groups (p ≤ 0.009; d = 0.77-1.79). The program appeared generally effective, with limited differences in groups below 49 years of age. Greater disparities in fat mass and fitness tended to occur in the older groups (50-54, 55+ groups). The data highlighted that older firefighters were participating in the optional program, which could lead to better health outcomes.

Law enforcement recruit fitness: Changes across the fitness spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Law enforcement is a profession of sedentary physical activity interspersed with physically demanding activity that requires high levels of fitness. It is imperative that agencies training law enforcement recruits maximise their fitness during their time at the academy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physical fitness during academy training. METHODS: Retrospective data for 10 academy recruit classes, totalling 715 participants, were collected from a US law enforcement agency. The change in performance on two standardised tests were used as outcome measures. Comparisons were made between percentiles utilising one-way ANOVA and a linear mixed model (LMM). RESULTS: Overall, higher percentiles were found to have smaller improvements in physical fitness than lower percentiles. The results of the LMM support this supposition, showing that lower physical fitness scores resulted in greater improvements in a generalised fitness assessment (value = -0.45, standard error 0.02, p <  0.001) and an occupational assessment (value = -0.49, standard error = 0.02, p <  0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that recruits with lower physical fitness will see greater improvements during academy training. This could be due to a ceiling effect for the more fit but may also be due to recruits of higher physical fitness being under trained during academy. Utilising ability-based training and prescribing an appropriate workload to recruits of higher fitness may improve overall recruit fitness upon graduation.

Cardiovascular Demand Differences Between Male and Female US Marine Recruits During Progressive Loaded Hikes.

ABSTRACT: Schram, B, Orr, R, Niederberger, B, Givens, A, Bernards, J, and Kelly, KR. Cardiovascular demand differences between male and female US Marine recruits during progressive loaded hikes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Despite having to carry the same occupational load, female soldiers tend to be lighter than male soldiers. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in cardiovascular load between female and male US Marine recruits during progressive load carriage hikes. United States Marine Corps recruits (565 male recruits; 364 female recruits) completed 6 loaded hikes over 6 weeks (1: 10 kg, 30 minutes; 2: 10 kg, 45 minutes; 3: 15 kg, 30 minutes, 4: 15 kg, 45 minutes; 5: 20 kg, 30 minutes; 6: 20 kg, 45 minutes) during which cardiovascular response was measured. Average heart rate (HRavg), HR maximum (HRmax), and pace were measured via a wrist-worn physiological monitor. Independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare between sexes, with significance set at 0.008 after adjusting for multiple comparisons. The average female recruit had significantly lower body mass (BM) compared with the average male recruit (p < 0.001) and thus carried a significantly heavier relative load. (10 kg ∼17%, 15 kg ∼25%, 20 kg ∼33%, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in pace in any hike, and no significant differences were found in HRavg or HRmax when comparing female and male Marines during Hike 1. For female Marines, HRavg was significantly higher compared with male Marines during Hike 2 (+6.5 b·min-1, p < 0.001) and Hike 3 (+7.4 b·min-1, p < 0.001), and both HRavg and HRmax were significantly higher in Hike 4 (+11.9 b·min-1, +8.4 b·min-1, p < 0.001), Hike 5 (+7.7 b·min-1, +7.9 b·min-1, p < 0.001), and Hike 6 (+6.9 b·min-1, +7.1 b·min-1, p < 0.001), respectively. Female Marines endured greater cardiovascular demand compared with male Marines during load carriage events when carrying loads greater than 15 kg (∼25% BM).

Profiling injuries sustained following implementation of a progressive load carriage program in United States marine corps recruit training.

BACKGROUND: Load carriage tasks during United States Marine Corps (USMC) recruit training can cause injury. Load carriage conditioning, if optimized, can reduce injury risk. OBJECTIVE: To compare injuries sustained by USMC recruits following participation in either the Original Load Carriage (OLC) program or a Modified Load Carriage (MLC) program. METHODS: Retrospective musculoskeletal injury data were drawn from the USMC San Diego Sports Medicine injury database for recruits completing the OLC (n = 2,363) and MLC (n = 681) programs. Data were expressed as descriptive statistics and a population estimate of the OLC:MLC relative risk ratio (RR) was calculated. RESULTS: The proportion of injuries sustained in the MLC cohort (n = 268; 39% : OLC cohort, n = 1,372 : 58%) was lower, as was the RR (0.68, 95% CI 0.61- 0.75). The leading nature of injury for both cohorts was sprains and strains (OLC n = 396, 29%; MLC n = 66; 25%). Stress reactions were proportionally higher in MLC (n = 17, 6%; OLC n = 4, 0.3%), while stress fractures were proportionately lower (MLC n = 9, 3%; OLC n = 114, 8%). Overuse injuries were lower in MLC (- 7%). The knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot were the top four bodily sites of injuries and the Small Unit Leadership Evaluation (SULE), Crucible, overuse-nonspecific, running, and conditioning hikes were within the top five most common events causing injury. The prevalence rates of moderate severity injury were similar (MLC = 23%; OLC = 24%), although MLC presented both a higher proportion and prevalence of severe injuries (MLC = 6%; OLC = 3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: A periodized load carriage program concurrently increased exposure to load carriage hikes while reducing injuries both during the load carriage hikes and overall.

Expanding Research on Firefighter Trainee Fitness, Reasons for Academy Release, and the Predictive Capabilities of Fitness Tests.

ABSTRACT: Lockie, RG, Orr, RM, Montes, F, and Dawes, JJ. Expanding research on firefighter trainee fitness, reasons for academy release, and the predictive capabilities of fitness tests. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 724-733, 2024-Firefighter trainees need a level of fitness to be admitted to and complete a training academy. Fitness could indicate a trainee's likelihood of graduation, in addition to their reasons for release. This study determined fitness differences between firefighter trainees who graduated (GRAD) from academy or were released because of injury (RELI), performance test failures (RELP), or resignation (RELR), and whether fitness predicted graduation. Occupational physical ability test (OPAT) data for 686 trainees were analyzed, including: Illinois agility test; push-ups; pull-ups; leg tucks; maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O2max); backward overhead medicine ball throw; 10-repetition maximum deadlift; and farmer's carry. Raw and scaled (based on internal scoring) scores were recorded. Trainees were split into GRAD (n = 576), RELI (n = 33), RELP (n = 66), and RELR (n = 11) groups. A 1-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc calculated between-group differences. Stepwise linear regression determined whether fitness predicted group inclusion. Receiver operating curves and area under the curve (AUC) derived test accuracy for predicting academy release. The GRAD group was superior (p ≤ 0.04) to the RELI group in all tests except push-ups, pull-ups, and farmer's carry; RELP group in all tests except the farmer's carry; and RELR group in V̇O2max, deadlift, and total OPAT score. Select fitness tests could predict inclusion in each group, although the explained variances were low (∼1-11%). Raw V̇O2max (AUC = 0.71) and total OPAT score (AUC = 0.74) had acceptable prediction accuracy. Fitness influenced academy graduation and reasons for release. Scaled scores could predict group inclusion in this department; V̇O2max and total OPAT score provided the most accurate predictors for release.

Exploring the Impact of Firefighter Trainee Fitness on Academy Graduation or Release.

ABSTRACT: Lockie, RG, Orr, RM, Montes, F, and Dawes, JJ. A research note exploring the impact of firefighter trainee fitness on academy graduation or release. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 999-1003, 2024-This study investigated the impact of fitness test performance on firefighter trainee ability to graduate an academy using ordinal logistic generalized linear models. Retrospective analysis was conducted on trainee data ( N = 686) from one fire department who completed an occupational physical ability test (OPAT) that included the following: Illinois agility test (IAT); push-ups; pull-ups; leg tucks; maximal aerobic capacity (V̇ o2 max); backward overhead 4.54-kg medicine ball throw (BOMBT); 10-repetition maximum deadlift; and 91.44-m farmer's carry. Data were recorded in raw and scaled scores based on internal scoring (tests scored from 0 to 100; maximum total OPAT score of 800). Trainees were split into graduated ( n = 576) or released ( n = 110) groups. Data were analyzed through ordinal logistic generalized linear models ( p < 0.05). Raw and scaled scores were investigated separately, with odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) produced. Regarding raw scores, there was a difference in the odds of graduating relative to the IAT (OR = 1.357; CI = 1.047-1.760; p = 0.021), BOMBT (OR = 0.744; CI = 0.628-0.882; p < 0.001), and V̇ o2 max (OR = 0.907; CI = 0.862-0.954; p < 0.001). For scaled scores, there was a difference in the odds of graduating relative to the points attained for the BOMBT (OR = 0.985; CI = 0.972-0.999; p = 0.032), deadlift (OR = 0.982; CI = 0.968-0.995; p = 0.008), and total OPAT (OR = 0.994; CI = 0.988-1.000; p = 0.047). Change-of-direction speed (IAT), total-body power (BOMBT), aerobic fitness (V̇ o2 max), lower-body strength (deadlift), and overall fitness (total OPAT points) impacted the odds of trainee fire academy graduation. The IAT presented as the largest impacting variable where, for every unit increase in time (i.e., a slower IAT), there was 1.36 greater chance of a trainee being released from the academy.

Determining the Changes in Law Enforcement Recruit Aerobic Fitness Using the 2.4-km Run and 20-m Multistage Fitness Test. Does the Type of Test Matter?

ABSTRACT: Campbell, P, Maupin, D, Lockie, RG, Dawes, JJ, Simas, V, Canetti, E, Schram, B, and Orr, R. Determining the changes in law enforcement recruit aerobic fitness using the 2.4-km run and 20-m multistage fitness test. Does the type of test matter? J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1111-1117, 2024-Aerobic fitness is linked with academy graduation, employment, and the long-term health of law enforcement officers and is often used as a training outcome. However, different tests can be used, and aerobic improvements may differ according to the test used. The aim of this study was to determine whether recruits improved to a greater extent in 1 aerobic test compared with the other. Retrospective data from 5 law enforcement recruit cohorts (males = 741; females = 353) who underwent 18 weeks of academy training were analyzed. Initial 20-m multistage fitness test (20MSFT) and 2.4-km run assessments were completed during weeks 4 and 5 of training, with final testing completed during weeks 16 and 17, respectively. A repeated-measures analysis of variance ( p < 0.05) with a Bonferroni post hoc analysis determined changes in aerobic fitness in the 20MSFT and 2.4-km run between male and female recruits. A mean difference of 9.27 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 14.8-10.9; d = 0.63; p < 0.001) shuttle increase in 20MSFT performance and 20.1 (95% CI 16.0-24.2; d = 0.49; p < 0.001) second improvement in 2.4-km run time were demonstrated when averaged across sex, yielding a larger performance improvement for the 20MSFT compared with the 2.4-km run. Conversely, there was a smaller magnitude of change in aerobic fitness between male recruits and female recruits for the 20MSFT ( d = 0.47) compared with the 2.4-km run ( d = 0.50). The findings indicate that current academy training results in improvements to aerobic fitness and to a greater magnitude in the 20MSFT compared with the 2.4-km run. These results may affect policy considerations for law enforcement agencies regarding aerobic test selection.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Acute Articular Cartilage Tears in Military and Other Occupational Settings: A Systematic Review.

Damage to the articular cartilage resulting in an acute tear can lead to functional changes within the joint and increase the risk of osteoarthritis developing. There is limited understanding of the association between occupational risk factors and sustaining an acute articular cartilage tear in the military and other physically demanding occupations. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate original research reporting on occupational risk factors associated with sustaining acute articular cartilage tears. METHODS: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis-Protocols was conducted and registered with the Open Science Framework. Key academic databases were searched using terms from the following concepts: risk or cause, paid occupations, and acute articular cartilage tears. RESULTS: Of an initial 941 studies, 2 studies met the eligibility criteria, both reporting data from military contexts; only one evaluated acute articular cartilage tears in both males and females. One paper focused on articular cartilage injury within the knee and the other within the ankle joint with incidence rates being 0.2 and 0.3 per 1000 person-years, respectively. People in more physically active occupations and individuals with an above-normal body mass index were reported as being at higher risk of sustaining an acute articular cartilage tear. CONCLUSION: Physically demanding occupations, such as the military, may increase the risk for acute tears of the articular cartilage. However, the findings of this review indicate there is a paucity of research to underpin understanding of the injury mechanisms and occupational risk factors for acute articular cartilage tears.

Occupational stress and musculoskeletal disorders in firefighters: the mediating effect of depression and job burnout.

The firefighting profession carries a heightened risk of musculoskeletal disorders. A firefighter's job is physically demanding and includes activities such as running, climbing, dragging, and lifting. Often, these tasks are unpredictable, performed in harsh environments, and have been found to cause psychological stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational stress on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) in firefighters. In addition, the mediating effects of depression and job burnout on proposed relationships were examined. Data informing this study were collected using a survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Inventory (PCL), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling approach in AMOS. The results of the 2339 responding firefighters suggest that work related stress is positively related to WRMSDs in firefighters and can lead to musculoskeletal symptoms through four paths, being emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, CES-D total score, and depersonalization. Through depersonalization, job stress had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.053). Furthermore, the results showed that post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) can affect musculoskeletal symptoms through ten paths, again through depersonalization, PTSD had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.141). The results of this study suggest that organizations should design interventions and policies to prevent and manage occupational stress, depression, and job burnout to negate its undesired consequences on firefighters' health (i.e. WRMSD).

A profile of occupational tasks performed by mounted police officers.

BACKGROUND: Within individual policing organisations, there are a wide variety of units and job roles. OBJECTIVE: To profile the occupational tasks performed by Australian mounted police officers, aiming to offer conditioning insight into this unique job role. METHODS: Thirteen fully qualified and operational mounted police officers (n = 11 females), who served in the mounted police unit for ∼3.3 (±2.3) years, participated in this observational cohort study. Participants completed a survey outlining common occupational tasks and were monitored throughout four consecutive shifts. Participants' heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and skin temperature (ST) data were collected via wearable monitoring (Equivital EQ-02, Hidalgo, UK) and body position, physical activity undertaken, task effort, and load carriage were recorded by researchers. A one-way ANOVA was used to assess mean differences in physiological measures between the three most reported tasks. RESULTS: Survey identified 130 tasks, with 38 listed as most common. The three most reported mounted police tasks were: 'horse riding' (n = 13, 34%), 'mounted patrols' (n = 10, 26%), and 'horse care' (n = 10, 26%). These were also reported as the most physically demanding. HR during 'horse care' and 'horse riding' were significantly higher than when 'mounted patrolling' (27±7bpm, p = 0.001 and 33±8bpm; p = 0.001, respectively). Mean RR was higher when 'horse riding' when compared to 'horse care' (5.3±1.6brpm) and 'mounted patrol' (8.5±1.9brpm). CONCLUSION: Mounted police officers experience unique physiological challenges throughout their routine occupational tasks. This study highlights the significance of understanding occupation-specific tasks and stressors undertaken by mounted police to develop relevant conditioning, rehabilitation, and monitoring procedures.

Relationships between job stress, post-traumatic stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters and the role of job burnout and depression mediators: a bayesian network model.

INTRODUCTION: Job stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and negative psychological outcomes in firefighters can be caused, or aggravated, by their work. These mental disorders can impart musculoskeletal symptoms. This study aimed to investigate relationships between musculoskeletal and psychological disorders in a population of firefighters using a Bayesian network model. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2022, included 2339 firefighters who completed questionnaires during their rest periods. The questionnaires comprised of demographical information, the Occupational Stress Questionnaire-HSE, the PTSD Checklist, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression scale (CES-D), and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. GeNIe academic software was used to analyze the Bayesian network. RESULTS: High job stress and high PTSD each increased the probability of musculoskeletal symptoms by 34%. When combined, high job stress and high PTSD increased the probability of musculoskeletal symptoms by 37%. Among the mediator's burnout and depression, depression had the highest association with musculoskeletal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Job stress and PTSD can increase musculoskeletal symptoms and are influenced by psychological mediators (like burnout and depression). Adopting preventive and therapeutic measures to mitigate job stress and PTSD, mitigate and rehabilitate WMSD, and manage associated mediators are critical for the mental and physical health of firefighters.

Heart rate variability profile changes associated with specialist police selection activities: A case study.

BACKGROUND: Police Tactical Groups (PTGs) are specialist police units tasked with rigorous physical and psychosocial duties. Consequently, selection courses (SCs) for service in these units must also be rigorous. Given the intensity of SCs, holistic monitoring for potential overstress may be beneficial. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is one holistic stress measure that can be obtained in austere environments. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to profile HRV during a PTG SC. Six (n = 6) qualified male police officers attempted a 36-hour PTG selection course held at an Australian state facility. METHODS: HRV was obtained from Equivitaltrademark EQ02 + LifeMonitor bioharnesses. The selection course consisted of physically demanding events with minimal sleep (approx. 45 mins). Only one candidate completed the full selection course; whose results are reported here. RESULTS: A visual time-series of 384 consecutive 5 min HRV analyses was generated. Contextual analysis was applied to appreciate HRV changes between SC serials. HRV decline occurred during the planning of a navigation exercise and a pack march. Increases in HRV were observed throughout the pack march exercise and rest period. CONCLUSION: This case study demonstrates the potential utility for selection personnel to obtain additional insight into candidate responses to various occupational challenges throughout an SC. Information provided by HRV monitoring may support leadership decisions when evaluating personnel holistically. For example, the ability to continue occupational task execution even while experiencing potential overstress (as measured by HRV) and after food and sleep deprivation is desirable. HRV may potentially inform stakeholders regarding overstress in PTG candidates.

Effects of a single-day pre-academy physical test training session on physical fitness scores of police candidates.

BACKGROUND: Concerns are sometimes raised by police applicants undertaking physical fitness testing that they were unfamiliar with the test requirements which in turn negatively impacted their performance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a single day physical test training session on physical fitness scores of police candidates. METHODS: The sample consisted of female police candidates (n = 133) who attended a pre-academy training session. On the first day of pre-training, candidates' physical fitness was measured following official assessment day protocols. Measures included maximal handgrip strength, number of push-ups in 10 sec (PU), number of sit-ups in 30 sec (SU), standing long jump (SLJ), Abalakow jump test (AJ), 12 min Cooper running test (CT), and a motor educability test (ME). After the assessment, the overseeing UCIPS staff provided a detailed test skills briefing to candidates (e.g., common mistakes made during testing, how test performance could be improved, etc.). Immediately after the briefing, candidates performed the tests once again. Differences between results were measured using a paired samples t-test with significance set at 0.05. RESULTS: Paired sample t-tests determined significant (p < 0.001), large (Rank-Biserial Correlation = 1.00), improvements in physical fitness scores during the second assessment following familiarisation and feedback on test performance. CONCLUSION: Pre-academy training may be effective in improving candidates' physical fitness scores, in most tests, prior to the official assessment for the enrolment to police studies. Thus, to optimise initial candidate scores and opportunities for successful enlistment, police agencies may benefit from providing pre-assessment training.

Evaluating the Variability Between 20-m Multistage Fitness Test Estimating Equations in Law Enforcement Recruits.

ABSTRACT: Campbell, P, Maupin, D, Lockie, RG, Dawes, JJ, Simas, V, Canetti, E, Schram, B, and Orr, R. Evaluating the variability between 20-m multistage fitness test estimating equations in law enforcement recruits. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 742-748, 2024-The 20-m multistage fitness test (20MSFT) is commonly used by law enforcement agencies to measure aerobic fitness and to estimate maximal aerobic consumption (V̇ o2 max). These measures are an important occupational variable with aerobic fitness levels linked to employment status, occupational performance, and long-term health in law enforcement officers. There are a multitude of predictive equations used to provide an estimate of V̇ o2 max, with the extent of variability in the estimated V̇ o2 max currently unknown in this population. This has consequences for comparisons between, and across, differing agencies, and in capabilities of deriving normative data. The aim of this investigation was to compare the variability in estimated V̇ o2 max scores derived from different 20MSFT predictive equations. The 20-m multistage fitness test data from 1,094 law enforcement recruits (male n = 741, 25.2 ± 6.3 years; female: n = 353, 25.6 ± 5.6 years) from a single agency were retrospectively analyzed. The 20MSFT scores were transformed into estimated V̇ o2 max scores using 6 different predictive equations. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results demonstrated significantly different V̇ o2 max scores between each predictive equation ( p < 0.001; d = 0.25-1.53) and between male and female recruits ( p < 0.001, r = 0.55). All estimated V̇ o2 max equations showed small to very strong correlations with each other ( p < 0.001; r = 0.32-0.99). The findings indicate considerable dispersion of V̇ o2 max scores when using differing equations, suggesting raw 20MSFT variables (e.g., shuttles or distance completed) should be preferred to measure and apply results from aerobic fitness tests if standardized approaches are not developed within law enforcement.

Relationships Between Anthropometric Measures and Body Composition With Individual ACFT Event Performance Among Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadets.

ABSTRACT: Thompson, MB, Lawson, DJ, Orr, RM, Lockie, RG, and Dawes, JJ. Relationships between anthropometric measures and body composition with individual ACFT event performance among army reserve officers' training corps cadets. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 749-754, 2024-The U.S. military commonly uses body composition as an indicator of a soldier's potential to meet the physical demands required of their occupation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant relationships existed between select body composition variables and Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) performance among a cohort of university Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. Twenty-six male (20.4 ± 1.6 years, 81.8 ± 8.5 kg, 178.3 ± 7.8 cm) and 12 female (19.9 ± 1.4 years, 64.2 ± 6.7 kg, 161.9 ± 4.9 cm) cadets voluntarily participated in this study. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and ACFT event scores were recorded by the cadre using the U.S. Army standard protocol and provided to the investigators. Pearson's correlations were used to identify relationships between body composition variables and ACFT event performance with an alpha level of p ≤ 0.05. Moderate to strong relationships were observed between total body water, dry lean mass, lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage and all event scores for the sample as a whole. Body mass index showed weak to moderate significant positive relationships with hand-release push-up and maximum hexagonal bar deadlift in the sample as a whole. No relationships were observed in the men of this sample. All body composition variables showed moderate, nonsignificant relationships with at least 1 ACFT event within the women of this sample. Considering the findings of this study, a multitude of variables could be useful to assess ROTC cadets as predictors for ACFT performance. Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs should emphasize attaining and maintaining functional lean mass, whereas reducing nonfunctional body mass (i.e., excess FM) among cadets to enhance health and performance across the occupational life span.

Identifying the most important, frequent, and physically demanding tasks of Brazilian firefighters.

This study aimed to identify the most important, frequently performed, and physically demanding tasks performed by Brazilian firefighters and to identify tasks that could be used to assess physical fitness. A subjective task analysis was conducted. Five hundred twenty-four firefighters (84% male; 16% females) responded to an online survey and rated 37 tasks across three domains (most important, most frequent, and most physically demanding). A dichotomous decision analysis was used to inform the proposed physical fitness tests. Wildland firefighting tasks presented the highest overall mean rate. Traffic control was considered the most important and frequently performed task. Lifeguard rescue was considered the most physically demanding task. The dichotomous analysis identified 14 essential tasks (seven structural firefighting and seven automobile accidents). The tasks identified may be helpful in developing criterion physical fitness tests and training programs related to firefighters' demands.Practitioner summary: The unpredictability, variability, and dangerousness of firefighting make it challenging to observe the physical demands imposed on firefighters. A subjective task analysis was conducted to identify essential tasks performed by Brazilian firefighters. Wildland firefighting, lifeguard rescue, automobile accidents, and structural firefighting tasks were the most important, frequent, and physically demanding.