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Background. Law enforcement officers may experience unique physical demands while on duty, including pursuing a suspect on foot, clearing obstacles, rapidly moving between covers, and engaging in physical confrontations with violent offenders. Several different change of direction speed (CODS) assessments are routinely used to simulate these demands. However, the relationship between these assessments has not been fully explored. Thus, this study investigated the association of shorter and longer distance sprint running with CODS performance. Methods. 15 police students ran the 20-m sprint test, 300-yard shuttle run, and Illinois Agility Test (IAT). Correlation and regression analyses were used to investigate associations. The effect size analysis provided the magnitude of associations. Results. Correlation analysis determined moderate association between 0-10 m, 10-20 m, and 0-20 m sprint performance with the IAT. The regression analysis determined strong linear association of IAT with sprint 0-10 m (R 2 = 0.488, F = 12.385, p = 0.004), sprint 10-20 m (R 2 = 0.496, F = 12.775, p = 0.003), sprint 0-20 m (R 2 = 0.573, F = 17.468, p = 0.001), and no linear association with the 300-yard shuttle run. Conclusions. The current study found a significant positive association between short sprints and IAT performance, suggesting that linear sprinting speed determines a significant proportion of CODS performance. Therefore, police students and officers should include sprint training in their physical fitness routine.

Spinal osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition of the spine, significantly impairs quality of life, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Treatment primarily aims to improve functionality and quality of life. This study investigated the effects of lower back surgery (e.g., spinal decompression with vertebra stabilization) on upper-limb maximum strength, lower limb functionality, and quality of life in osteoarthritis patients. A total of 16 patients (♀ = 10 and ♂ = 6) patients from the orthopedic clinic who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis based on MRI and clinical symptoms underwent the surgery. Their handgrip strength, lower limb functionality (6 min walk test), and quality of life (Flanagan quality of life scale) were assessed before and after the surgery. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess differences in these metrics pre- and post-surgery across the entire patient cohort, as well as within gender-specific subgroups. A large positive effect was seen in the 6 min walk (p = 0.02, d = −0.83) test but not in the handgrip test or quality of life. However, female patients showed a trend towards better quality of life. The results of this study provide evidence for the effectiveness of surgery in the treatment of spinal osteoarthritis and underscore the need for personalized treatment approaches in the treatment of spinal osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the accuracy and predictive value of body mass index (BMI) in evaluation of obesity and body fatness. Data on BMI and percent body fat (PBF) were collected on 953 male police officers who were allocated into age groups: 20-29 years, 30-39 years, and 40-49 years. BMI > 30.0 kg/m2 and PBF > 25% were classified as obese, and those with lower values were classified as non-obese. Chi-square was used to evaluate the accuracy in classification in obese and non-obese when officers' BMI was matched to PBF. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analyses determined the prediction value of BMI. Chi-square revealed significant difference in obesity prevalence when evaluated by BMI and PBF, with classification accuracy of 44.5%-71.8%, depending on age. BMI had moderate prediction value of body fatness. If the assessment of PBF is not attainable, BMI needs to be used carefully as it is likely to underestimate obesity among police officers.

The aim of this study was to show the extent of the influence of the shift work on nutritional status and physical activity of police officers. The research included 130 healthy police officers. The respondents were divided into two groups. The first group included 82 officers who were working the first shift. The second group included 48 officers who were working the 12hour shift. The study used customized questionnaire consisting of questions regarding leisure-time physical activity, self-report lifestyle activity level, body height, body mass, and derived body mass index (BMI). The ANOVA analysis showed that the first shift had significantly lower BMI (2.57 kg/m2 , p = 0.004) than the 12-hour shift. The results showed that physical activity is strongly associated with lower values of BMI in both groups (p < 0.01). Regarding the correlation between age and years of service, only the 12-hour shift showed coherency (p < 0.01). Although there was no difference in the level of physical activity between police officers from different shifts, declines in physical activity were associated with higher values of BMI.

BACKGROUND - Height and body mass are often self-reported by study participants. However, the accuracy of this data compared to measured values is limited in tactical trainee populations. This study's purpose was to compare the accuracy of self-reported height and body mass to measured values within a US law enforcement cadet population, and determine how these estimations affected BMI classifications. METHODS - Self-reported and measured body height and body mass for twenty-six (n = 26) male and female cadets (males - age: 31.32 ± 10.04 years; measured height: 178.07 ± 9.87 cm; measured body mass: 92.44 ± 19.37 kg; females - age: 25.67 ± 1.53 years; measured body height: 168.17 ± 4.01cm; measured body mass: 78.94 ± 11.30 kg) were analyzed. RESULTS - Significant differences between estimated and measured height (p < 0.001), body mass (p < 0.05), but not BMI (p = 0.281) were revealed. CONCLUSION - Self-reported body height and body mass were not accurately reported when compared to measured values. However, reported resulted in accurate BMI classifications.

Height and body mass data is often self-reported by study participants. However, the accuracy of self-reported height and body mass data compared to these same measures collected by researchers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of self-reported height and body mass data to measured values within the US law enforcement population, and the impact these estimations have on the accuracy of BMI classifications. METHODS: Self-reported and measured height and body mass data for thirty-three (n = 33) male law enforcement officers (age: 40.48 ± 6.66 yrs; measured height: 180.42 ± 6.87 cm; measured body mass: 100.82 ± 19.86 kg) were utilized for this analysis. RESULTS: Paired samples t-tests revealed no significant differences in estimated and measured height (p=.830), body mass (p = .527) or BMI (p = .623). CONCLUSION: Self-reported height and body mass was accurate for calculating BMI within this population sample.

Knee injuries are of concern to police. The aims of this study were to determine initial reference values for isokinetic knee extension and flexion in police special force operators to explore the conventional hamstring contraction (Hcon) quadriceps contraction (Qcon) ratio, and to determine the limb symmetry index of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Absolute and relative isokinetic torque of quadriceps and hamstrings were assessed in 10 police special force operators using an isokinetic dynamometer Con-Trex. Subjects performed maximal knee extension and flexion at a contraction velocity of 60°/s at 90° of knee flexion. Means, standard deviations, 95% confidence interval values, and effect sizes were calculated. A paired samples t-test was used to test the between-leg differences in absolute and relative torques of quadriceps and hamstring muscles and to test the between-leg difference in Hcon/Qcon ratios as well as strength asymmetries of quadriceps and hamstrings. Descriptive statistics revealed torque values similar to athletes, and paired sample t-tests showed no significant between-leg differences in torque values at a group level. Small effect sizes were observed between legs in both the absolute and relative peak torque of the hamstring muscles. While, on a group level, no Hcon/Qcon ratio disparity between legs or asymmetries were observed, individual results indicated a trend towards greater dispersion for the dominant leg and some individual results indicated an increased asymmetry in isometric strength of hamstrings. The study provides normative data for this unique police population and highlights the need for relative strength work in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous factors can influence the reliability of the signal obtained by electromyography EMG among which the type of contraction is practically fundamental. This study aimed to investigate intra- and inter-session reliability of EMG for maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors at different joint angles. Nine healthy male students from the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education voluntarily joined the experiment. Main characteristics of the subjects were: age 23±1 years, body weight 80.8±7.8 kg and body height 182±7 cm. EMG signal from three surface heads of quadriceps femoris was recorded - vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF). Subjects had to perform 3 MVIC as fast as possible, as strong as possible at 6 different knee joint angles on 2 occasions separated by 7-8 days. The intra-class coefficient of correlation (ICC) was used to identify relative intra- and inter-session reliability, while standard error of measurement (SEM) was used to calculate the absolute reliability of each tested muscle. All muscles showed high intra-session reliability (ICC=0.488-0.988 and SEM=1.38-11.35). VL showed good inter-session reliability for most of the conditions (ICC=0.603-0.948), VM for two knee angles (ICC120°=0.764 and ICC130°=0.788), RF was not reliable for any knee angle. This study indicates that RF does not need to be used in EMG testing in leg extension MVIC due to lack of reliability between two sessions, and If EMG RMS from VL and VM will be tested, knee angle of 120° should be used for the testing.

Purpose: This study compared physical self-concept and subjective vitality of police, physical education, and psychology students. Moreover, the study investigated whether students who reported a higher level of physical activity differently rated physical self-concept and subjective vitality and whether physical activity was associated with subjective vitality. Methods: The study sample included 422 university students (249 females) from three state academic institutions: University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies (n = 165), Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (n = 156) and Faculty of Psychology (n = 101). The mean age was 20.85 ± 3.59 years. They completed a physical self-description questionnaire, the subjective vitality scale, and a physical activity questionnaire using the Survey Monkey platform. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated the differences in physical activity, physical self and vitality, while regression analysis investigated the association of physical self and physical activity with subjective vitality. Results: Police students and physical education students reported higher levels of physical activity and perceived higher their own physical self and subjective vitality than psychology students. From the whole sample, students who were sufficiently physically active also scored higher on physical self-concept and subjective vitality. There was a significant association of physical activity level with subjective vitality. Conclusion: Physical activity was directly associated with students' subjective evaluation of their own health. It can be concluded that students should aim to attain a minimum of 150 min per week of physical activity. Students and faculties should be involved in the attainment of minimal levels of physical activity. This could improve students' subjective perception of self, along with objective measures of health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As physical abilities are essential for good health and performance in police officers, they are also one of the major factors for the enrolment in a police academy. However, their relationship to academic success and efficacy has not yet been clearly established, especially in females. The aim of this research was to investigate the association of physical abilities with academic success measured by grade point average (GPA) and academic efficacy measured by time to graduate of female candidates for police studies. Physical abilities of 40 female candidates for the admission to the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies were analyzed at the time of selection and their study success and efficacy were obtained after they graduated. The correlation and regression analyses were used to investigate the association of physical abilities with GPA and time to graduate. The GPA was associated with repetitive power of upper extremities and whole- body contraction extension test (WBCE). It could be concluded that students whose physical exercise culture was better developed also had stronger chances of a favorable academic outcome. It could be argued that the UCIPS students who have a better-developed exercise culture also have stronger chances of a favourable academic outcome. The results of this research could be used as the foundation for future research that would investigate the association between physical abilities and success in policing jobs. This would help in the identification of the best individuals for the job and in the development of new selection, education, and exercise programs for police officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between body composition measures and Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) performance between male and female Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets prior to enlistment. Retrospective APFT test performance and body composition data were provided for 57 male and 17 female university ROTC cadets. Descriptive statistics were derived for all variables and separated by sex. A MANOVA model was used to determine differences between sexes in all anthropometric and fitness variables. A Pearson's moment correlation was used to determine significant relationships between body composition and APFT measures separated by sex. Significant differences between male and female cadets for height, body mass, body fat percentage, and APFT events were found (p = 0.001-0.03). No significant differences were found between sexes for BMI (p = 0.887). Additionally, no significant relationships between anthropometric measures and fitness performance were observed among male or female cadets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of morphological status is necessary because human body structure is very important and at the same time biologically very changeable category that can be influenced by many external and internal factors. The aim of this study is a structural analysis of current state of body composition for purposes of establishing initial body composition model of Abu Dhabi police personnel. Measurement procedures have been conducted under the monitoring of Strategic Management & Performance Improvement Department, Sports Activity Section, Abu Dhabi police, in the gym for police officers with the help of the machine In Body 720. The sample size was 59 male police officers of different age and rank. The main characteristics of the sample were: age 31.53±9.42 years, height 173.08±6.13cm and body weight 80.10±11.50kg. Investigated variables were: height (H), body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), percent of body fat (PBF), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and percent of skeletal muscle mass (PSMM). Statistically, the results were calculated by descriptive statistics and cluster analysis. The results have shown that prevalence of the overweighed according to the WHO was 59.06%, prevalence of obesity according to ACE was 49.15% and 66.10% of the sample had under average PSMM.

The purpose of this study was to analyze kinematic variables of side volley in elite soccer players, as well as examining kinematic variables adjustment in relation to the change of velocity and height of incoming ball. Thirty professional soccer players participated in this study. The experimental protocol implied kicking the ball towards the subject at three different velocities and three different heights. The analysis included a total of the following seven dependent variables: Maximum linear velocity of the foot, the knee and the hip (V_FOOT_max, V_KNEE_max, V_HIP_max), Maximum knee and hip joint angular velocities (W_KNEE_max, W_HIP_max), Distance between the foot and the hip at impact with the ball (D_hip.foot_tk), and Angle between the shoulder and hip axis and the hip and foot axis at impact with the ball (α_SHF_tk). Also, for the purpose of descriptive kinematic analysis, the variables of changed angles and hip and knee joint angular velocities were used in different phases of side volley performance, as well as the variables of changed linear velocity of the foot, the knee and the hip. The variables of side volley kinematics were measured with the 3D kinematic analysis system (Qualisys). The effects of the ball height and velocity, and their interaction, on dependent kinematic variables were tested by using the statistical method of two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures (two-way ANOVA). The velocity and height of the incoming ball had a significant effect on V_ FOOT_max in the sense that, as ball velocity grew, V_FOOT_max increased as well, while as ball height increased, V_FOOT_max dropped. A similar effects of the ball velocity and ball height was observed for V_ HIP_max, but is observed only a tendency towards statistical significance. Also, it was observed that increased speed of the incoming ball affected increase of D_hip.foot_tk, as well as α_SHF_tk, while values of W_HIP_max were decreased. The statistical analysis revealed that changes in the mechanical conditions in which side volleys were performed such as a different velocity/height of the incoming ball affected the modulation of the velocity of the farthermost proximal and distal ends of the kinetic chain/hip and foot joints, while the knee joint function was primarily to fine-tune the distance between the subjects' position and the ball.

Primary objective of this study was to provide the insight into the effects of strength training on the testosterone (TE) level in men, as well as the mechanisms of anabolic effects of testosterone on human muscle apparatus, since it is known that one of the ways to increase muscle strength is through the increase of muscle mass (peripheral factor), and the basis of this process is the effect of TE. The collected data summarize the conclusions of a number of previous studies, out of which larger number of recently, and they relate to the effect of different methods of strength training (H - submaximal effort to failure, S - maximal effort, P - dynamic effort) with equally applied total volume of load, and the effect of different rest periods in strength training on the level of TE in men. The presented results confirmed the claims that the H method is the most effective and reasonably called 'the method for muscle hypertrophy'. When it comes to rest periods, the ones that last for about 90 seconds proved optimal because this period had most influence on the level of lactic acid and catecholamines in blood which are considered to be the key factors for the increased secretion of TE (this hormone was included in a group of stress hormones as well). However, according to many authors, further examinations in this field are necessary in order to determine the causal link with greater certainty.