scholarly journals With great power comes great ability: Extending research on fitness characteristics that influence work sample test battery performance in law enforcement recruits

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Robert G. Lockie ◽  
Matthew R. Moreno ◽  
Karly A. Cesario ◽  
Joseph M. Dulla ◽  
Robin M. Orr ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Fitness could influence task performance in police officers. Limited research details relationships between different fitness characteristics and police-specific tasks. OBJECTIVE: Determine relationships between anaerobic and aerobic capacity with police-specific task performance. METHODS: Data for 308 recruits was analysed. Fitness tests included: push-ups, sit-ups, and mountain climbers (muscular endurance); pull-ups (strength); vertical jump (VJ) and 2 kg medicine ball throw (MBT; power); 75-yard pursuit run (75PR; change-of-direction speed); 201 m run (anaerobic capacity); 2.4 km run and multistage fitness test (aerobic capacity). Police tasks included: 99-yard obstacle course (99OC); 74.84 kg body drag (BD); chain link fence (CLF) and solid wall (SW) climbs; and 500-yard run (500R). Partial correlations controlling for sex and linear regression calculated relationships between fitness and job tasks. RESULTS: 99OC correlated with all assessments; BD only with 75PR. CLF related to the power and aerobic capacity tests, pull-ups, and 201 m run. SW related to VJ, 75PR, pull-ups, sit-ups, 201 m run, and aerobic capacity. 500R related to all except the MBT and 2.4 km run. 75PR and VJ predicted 4/5 tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Police research has shown the importance of muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. Specific to this studies’ correlations, the value of power and change-of-direction speed development for task performance was indicated.

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Chapman ◽  
J Peiffer ◽  
C Abbiss ◽  
P Laursen

Introduction The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the physical characteristics of a group of West Australian male paramedics. Methods Data was collected from conventional (CO) (n=18) and special operations (SO) (n=11) officers undergoing occupational performance evaluations as contracted by St. John Ambulance Australia to an external independent third party. Using a series of field-based physical conditioning tests, aerobic capacity (multistage shuttle run test), body composition (skinfolds), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), muscular strength (5 stage abdominal and grip strength), muscular endurance (sit-ups, push-ups and chin-ups in 60 seconds (s)), power (vertical jump height), and anaerobic capacity/agility using the Bangsbo agility test were examined. Results The average predicted aerobic capacity of all officers was 45.8±5.2 ml·kg·min-1 (mean ± SD). Mean rating of abdominal strength was 4±1 and mean grip strength was 52±9 kg. The maximum number of sit-ups, push-ups and chin-ups performed in 60 s was 21±11, 40±12 and 7±5, respectively. Significantly more push-ups were completed for SO than for CO. Percentage body fat was significantly lower for SO than for CO. Fatigue index score (Bangsbo test) were significantly lower for SO than for CO. Conclusion The physical fitness profile of our sample indicated above normal levels of aerobic capacity, local muscle endurance and muscle strength, which likely contributes to workplace performance competency. However the fitness profile highlighted a potential deficiency in anaerobic capacity. Paramedics may benefit from a physical conditioning program with emphasis on their ability to operate at a greater functional capacity for higher repeated near maximal efforts.


Author(s):  
Ahsen Oğul ◽  
Sabriye Ercan ◽  
Mesut Ergan ◽  
Tuba İnce Parpucu ◽  
Cem Çetin

Objective: To determine changes in flexibility, dynamic balance, agility, vertical jump, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, and muscle strength performances in women in the early follicular and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Material and Methods: The study included eumenorrheic women over 18 years of age. Ovulation was detected using LH urine kits. Physical activity levels were determined using the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form". Flexibility was evaluated with the sit-and-reach test, dynamic balance with the Y balance test, agility with the hexagon agility test, anaerobic power with the vertical jump test, aerobic capacity with the 20-meter shuttle run test, anaerobic capacity with the Wingate test, and muscle strength with an isokinetic dynamometer. Results: Twenty women participated in the study. The average age was 22.4 ± 0.9 years, and the average level of physical activity was 1162.2 ± 189.1 MET-min/week. The average menstrual cycle was 30.3 ± 0.5 days. The ‘minimum power’ value in Wingate test was higher during the midluteal phase compared with the follicular phase (p=0.048). The remaining parameters were not statistically different for the two menstrual phases (p>0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that different phases of the menstrual cycle affect performance parameters minimally and do not cause a statistically significant difference. Nevertheless, instead of establishing these changes as ‘clinically non-significant’, each athlete should be evaluated on an individual basis to develop individual training programs by taking into account the phases of the menstrual cycle.


2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celismar Lázaro da Silveira ◽  
Thiago Siqueira Paiva de Souza ◽  
Gilmário Ricarte Batista ◽  
Adenilson Targino de Araújo ◽  
Júlio César Gomes da Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of supplementation with creatine and glutamine on physical fitness of military police officers. Therefore, an experimental double blind study was developed, with the final sample composed by 32 men randomly distributed into three groups: a group supplemented with creatine (n=10), glutamine (n=10) and a placebo group (n=12) and evaluated in three distinct moments, in an interval of three months (T1, T2 and T3). The physical training had a weekly frequency of 5 sessions x 90 min, including strength exercises, local muscular resistance, flexibility and both aerobic and anaerobic capacity. After analyzing the effect of time, group and interaction (group x time) for measures that indicated the physical capabilities of the subjects, a significant effect of time for the entire variable was identified (p<0,05). However, these differences were not observed when the univaried intragroups and intergroups analysis was performed (p>0,05). In face of the results it was concluded that supplementation with creatine and glutamine showed no ergogenic effect on physical performance in military police officers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Angulo ◽  
Alejandra Polanco ◽  
Luis Muñoz

Abstract Pacing strategies are used in cycling to optimize the power delivered by the cyclist during a race. Gains in race time have been obtained when using these strategies compared to self-paced approaches. For this reason, this study is focused on revising the effect that the variation of the cyclist’s parameters has on the pacing strategy and its results. A numeric method was used to propose pacing strategies for a cyclist riding on an ascending 3.7 km route with a constant 6.26% road grade. The method was validated and then implemented to study the effect of aerobic and anaerobic power delivery capacity, mass, and drag area on the pacing strategies and their corresponding estimated race times. The results showed that modifying 1% of the aerobic capacity or cyclist mass value led to a change of 1% on the race time. Modifying 1% the anaerobic capacity and the drag area led to changes of 0.03% and 0.02% on the race time, respectively. These results are strongly dependent on the route characteristics. It was concluded that for the studied route (constantly ascending), the variation of the cyclist’s aerobic capacity influences the pacing strategy (i.e., the power delivery over the distance). The anaerobic capacity and mass of the cyclist also influence the pacing strategy to a lesser extent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Teixeira ◽  
Luís F. Monteiro ◽  
Ricardo Silvestre ◽  
João Beckert ◽  
Luís M. Massuça

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Lockie ◽  
Brett Post ◽  
J. Dawes

This study investigated relationships between shorter (505, change-of-direction (COD) deficit as a derived physical quality) and longer (Illinois agility test; IAT) COD tests with linear speed, lower-body power (multidirectional jumping), and strength in recreationally-trained individuals. Twenty-one males and 22 females (similar to collegiate club-sport and tactical athletes) were assessed in: 505 and COD deficit from each leg; IAT; 20 m sprint; vertical jump (VJ height, peak anaerobic power measured in watts (PAPw), power-to-body mass ratio); standing broad jump; lateral jump (LJ) from each leg; and absolute and relative isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) strength. Partial correlations calculated sex-determined relationships between the COD and performance tests, with regression equations calculated (p < 0.05). The 505 and IAT correlated with all tests except PAPw and absolute IMTP (r = ±0.43–0.71). COD deficit correlated with the LJ (r = −0.34–0.60). Left- and right-leg 505 was predicted by sex, 20 m sprint, and left-leg LJ (70–77% explained variance). Right-leg COD deficit was predicted by sex and left-leg LJ (27% explained variance). IAT was predicted by sex, 20 m sprint, right-leg LJ, and relative IMTP (84% explained variance). For individuals with limited training time, improving linear speed, and relative lower-body power and strength, could enhance shorter and longer COD performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Condello ◽  
Chutimon Khemtong ◽  
Yi-Hua Lee ◽  
Chi-Hsien Chen ◽  
Mauro Mandorino ◽  
...  

The validity and reliability of the Optojump system were investigated for jumping height and flight time in vertical jump tests. Conversely, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Optojump system for measuring contact time and lateral displacement in change of direction and lateral jump tests. Thirty basketball collegiate athletes were tested on two 10 m sprints with a 60° (COD60) or 180° (COD180) change of direction, lateral controlled (CLRJ) and maximal (MLRJ) rebound jump, and lateral countermovement (LCMJ) and squat (LSJ) jump with the concomitant use of two force plates and the Optojump system for the measurement of contact time in COD60, COD180, CLRJ, MLRJ, and lateral jumping distance in all the lateral jump tests. Almost perfect coefficients (r ≥ 0.95) emerged for contact time in COD60, COD180, CLRJ, MLRJ, although a systematic bias was found for COD60 (−0.01 s). Good-to-excellent reliability was found for almost all the measurements of contact time and lateral jumping distance for change of direction and lateral jump tests. Therefore, the use of Optojump system for testing change of direction and lateral jumping abilities should be executed with caution, avoiding misinterpretation of data.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 916-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Thomas ◽  
Paul Comfort ◽  
Paul A. Jones ◽  
Thomas Dos’Santos

Purpose:To investigate the relationships between maximal isometric strength, vertical jump (VJ), sprint speed, and change-of-direction speed (CoDS) in academy netball players and determine whether players who have high performance in isometric strength testing would demonstrate superior performance in VJ, sprint speed, and CoDS measures.Method:Twenty-six young female netball players (age 16.1 ± 1.2 y, height 173.9 ± 5.7 cm, body mass 66.0 ± 7.2 kg) from a regional netball academy performed isometric midthigh pull (IMTP), squat jumps (SJs), countermovement jumps (CMJs), 10-m sprints, and CoDS (505).Results:IMTP measures displayed moderate to strong correlations with sprint and CoDS performance (r = –.41 to –.66). The VJs, which included SJs and CMJs, demonstrated strong correlations with 10-m sprint times (r = –.60 to –.65; P < .01) and CoDS (r = –.60 to –.71; P = .01). Stronger players displayed significantly faster sprint (ES = 1.1–1.2) and CoDS times (ES = 1.2–1.7) and greater VJ height (ES = 0.9–1.0) than weaker players.Conclusion:The results of this study illustrate the importance of developing high levels of lower-body strength to enhance VJ, sprint, and CoDS performance in youth netball players, with stronger athletes demonstrating superior VJ, sprint, and CoDS performances.


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (5S) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Maciste H. Macias Cervantes ◽  
Evelin Moreno-VArgas ◽  
Natalia Vilchis-Valadez ◽  
Arturo Figueroa ◽  
Claudia Luevano-Contreras ◽  
...  

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