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Background. Law enforcement officers (LEOs) wear duty belts to hold the specialised equipment required to complete their daily occupational tasks. The aim of this review was to identify, collect, and synthesize research investigating the impacts of duty belts and load placement on LEOs. Methods: A systematic review, registered with the Open Science Framework, was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines. Five databases were searched (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) with identified studies considered against eligibility criteria. Included studies were critically appraised by two reviewers independently using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist or the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Results: Ten studies (mean appraisal score = 79.8%; Kappa agreement = 0.73) informed the review revealing two main emerging themes; occupational impacts (task performance, vehicle duties, and weapon draw time), and movement impacts (balance, gait, and jump-based movements). Nine studies found duty belts and equipment loads, regardless of placement, negatively impacted LEO occupational tasks and movements in general. There were some differences in the nature of the impacts (e.g., areas of pressure with different systems). One study found no differences in performance between hip versus thigh holsters. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that LEO duty belts, their attachments, and the loads imparted by their equipment have a negative impact on performance of occupational tasks as well as officer movement, increasing injury potential. There were some differences in impacts based on load placement warranting consideration and further research.

This study explored whether Year 1 school children exposed to a 12-week classroom-based gross motor program progressed differently than Year 1 children undertaking their regular school program in motor proficiency, mathematics, and reading outcomes. Fifty-five Australian Year 1 school children (25 boys, 30 girls, mean age 6.77 ± 0.40 years) were exposed to either (i) their normal school program (Class N) or (ii) a 12-week program comprised of gross motor circuits and physically active: a) reading lessons (Class R) or b) mathematics lessons (Class M). Motor proficiency and academic performance in mathematics and reading were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (2nd Edition) and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test--2nd Edition--Australian Standardised Edition, respectively. Differences in outcomes between classes following the 12-week program were assessed. Mean change scores for the mathematics composite were significantly greater for participants in Class R (9.61 ± 5.62, p = 0.001) and Class M (7.57 ± 5.79, p = 0.019) than for participants in Class N (0.76 ± 8.00). Mean change scores for reading (11.54 ± 7.51, p = 0.017) and total motor composites (6.12 ± 5.07, p = 0.034) were also significantly greater for participants in Class M than Class N (4.47 ± 3.50 and 0.82 ± 4.38 respectively). A 12-week classroom-based gross motor program may be beneficial for motor skill development and learning in Year 1 school children. This pilot evaluation may usefully inform future experimental studies to further investigate whether classroom-based motor skill programs have a beneficial effect on motor proficiency and academic outcomes in children in the early years of primary school.

An isolated police officer executing an arrest can be placed in a dangerous situation should the subject become non-compliant. Further research is needed to ascertain the position that a subject can be placed in that takes the longest time to rise from the ground. Twenty-four college-aged participants (15 men, 9 women) were recruited for this study. Four prone positions were examined in one session: hands hidden under the chest (PHC); arms perpendicular to the torso and palms of the hand facing up (PPU); arms perpendicular to the torso, palms of the hand facing up, with ankles crossed on the ground (PPUAC); and arms perpendicular to the torso, palms of the hand facing up, with ankles crossed but elevated toward the lower back (PACKB). The order of these positions was randomized amongst participants. Participants were instructed to rise to an athletic position from each position as quickly as possible, with the movements recorded by a video camera. Times were calculated via a frame-by-frame analysis using motion analysis soft - ware from movement initiation until participants were standing. A 2 (sex) x 4 (position) repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc calculated between-position differences. There was a significant ANOVA for position (p = 0.003) but not sex (p = 0.415). The PACKB position was significantly slower than the PHC and PPUAC positions (p ≤ 0.045) and had the slowest movement time to stand (~2.019 s). As reaction time could influence an officer's safety, the PACKB position required the most time for a subject to stand and potentially engage an officer.

Evidence suggests that multiple factors affect implementation of school-based physical activity interventions. This survey study examined the factors that influence the provision of classroom-based physical activity to students in the early years of primary school in Australia. A social ecological approach guided questionnaire design and analysis. A 45-item online questionnaire was administered to Australian classroom teachers and assistant, deputy and school principals working with students in Prep/Kindergarten to Year 2. Descriptive analysis determined response frequencies and content analysis was used to identify common themes in open-ended responses. The survey response rate was 22%; 34 of the 75 participants answered at least 93% of the survey questions. Barriers to providing classroom-based physical activity include: insufficient time, limited training opportunities, limited resources, educator attitudes to physical activity, and confidence. Proposed strategies to overcome barriers include the provision of training and resources to improve educator knowledge of the benefits of classroom-based physical activity for children's health and learning, and to improve their confidence in delivering classroom-based physical activity. Creating a supportive school culture towards physical activity through implementation of whole-of-school physical activity policies is recommended. Overall, the results of this study suggest that multiple strategies, targeted at the individual (i.e., educator) and organisational (i.e., school) levels, may be necessary to enable Australian schools to overcome perceived barriers to providing physical activity opportunities to students in the early years of school during class time. Findings from this research elucidate how Australian schools may be best supported to implement classroom-based physical activity programs, as part of a whole-of-school approach to physical activity promotion.

Police tactical group (PTG) officers respond to the most demanding and high-risk police situations. As such, PTG personnel require exceptional physical fitness, and selection for employment often evaluates fitness both directly and indirectly. While heart rate (HR) is often used to measure physical effort, heart rate variability (HRV) may be a valuable tool for measuring stress holistically. The primary aim of this research was to investigate whether HRV was more sensitive than HR at monitoring workload during key PTG selection activities. As aerobic fitness is associated with workload during these tasks, a secondary aim was to investigate relationships between HRV, HR and aerobic fitness during the same tasks. The relationships between HRV (percentage of adjacent R-R intervals varying by 50% or more; pRR50%) and HR, as measured by ambulatory electrocardiograms obtained during a specialist police selection course, as well as aerobic fitness, as determined via total shuttles completed on the 20-meter multistage fitness test (MSFT; 'beep test'), were investigated. This study included a cohort of six male PTG candidates (n = 6) undergoing selection. As illustrated by a time-series plot, HR values were generally unremarkable, but HRV values were potentially depressed, and tentatively indicated overstress when count data from consecutive short-term analyses were derived. The MSFT was significantly, positively, correlated with pRR50% (ρ (6) = 0.812, p = 0.050, Fisher's z = 1.132). The MSFT and nonlinear HRV, frequency domain HRV, and HR were not significantly correlated. When assessed by linear regression, neither HRV nor HR were predicted by MSFT score. These findings indicate that HR alone is likely not sufficiently sensitive to provide detail on the stress response of candidates undertaking essential tactical tasks that combine physical stressors with cognitive load in adverse conditions. HRV analysis may provide additional insights regarding candidate suitability, particularly during dynamic and multifaceted assessments, though the causal direction of the relationship between HRV and aerobic fitness remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Law enforcement profession is known to impart high stress. Members of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams are allocated particularly demanding law enforcement operations and may therefore attain high fitness levels but may accumulate excessive stress. Heart rate variability (HRV), an assessment of time differences between heartbeats, likely indicates holistic load in field settings. To date, though, little research measuring HRV has been conducted involving SWAT units. The purpose of this study was to explore HRV measurements following (1) annual firearms qualification and (2) potential stress exposure with respect to completion time on an anaerobically taxing obstacle course. Officers with greater obstacle course performance were hypothesized to also exhibit greater HRV. HRV was also expected to stratify personnel more effectively than heart rate. Prospective 3-lead ECGs were obtained from a cohort of male SWAT operators (n = 15) with 5.2 ± 4.3 years of experience at three time points throughout one training day. HRV was assessed by time, frequency, and non-linear domains. Differences between baseline and post-training values were significant as assessed by the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test for heart rate, SDRR, LF, HF, and SD2. An enter-method linear regression model predicted post-training HF HRV by obstacle course time; r2 = 0.617, F (1,6) = 9.652, p = 0.021. Anaerobic performance may be highly valuable in SWAT units. HRV analysis may also be beneficial in measuring the psychophysiological impact of SWAT activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Custody officers (CO) are often exposed to workplace hazards when monitoring prisoners, managing prisoners' recreational time, or searching for contraband, yet research into their injuries is limited. This review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise research investigating injuries in CO. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and registration with the Open Science Framework, a systematic search of five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, CINAHL and SportDiscus) using key search terms was conducted. The identified studies were considered against eligibility criteria, with the remaining studies critically appraised using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: From the 975 identified studies, eight studies (mean critical appraisal score = 69 ± 25%) remained to inform the review. The incidence of fatal injuries ranged from 0.027 to 0.03 per 1000 full-time employees (FTE), whereas that of non-fatal injuries ranged from 15.9 to 44.0 per 1000 FTE. CO aged 31+ years were the most likely to experience injuries (22–44%). Male CO were more commonly injured than female CO in both fatal injuries (male = 89%, female = 11%) and non-fatal injuries (male = 73–74%, female = 26–27%). Assaults (11.5–38%) and slips/trips/falls (23.2–25%) were found to be the most common causes of injuries. The upper extremity was the most commonly injured body part (26–30%), with musculoskeletal sprains and strains (30–60.2%) the most common types of injury. Conclusions: CO injury profiles are similar to those reported in general-duty police officers. As such, musculoskeletal conditioning, reconditioning, and fall prevention practices employed in law enforcement may serve as an initial approach to risk mitigation in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic fitness testing plays a significant role in the academy training of law enforcement recruits. There is a lack of normative data for law enforcement recruits and substantial interchangeability for choice of field-based aerobic tests. Therefore, this study aimed to develop normative percentile rankings for the 20-m multistage fitness tests (20MSFT) and 2.4-km run specific to law enforcement recruits; and to analyze the relationship between the 2 tests by linear regression. Data from 5 cohorts of law enforcement recruits completing 20MSFT (n 5 1,536) and 2.4-km run (n 5 1,499) testing during basic training at an Australian Police Academy were retrospectively analyzed. Percentile ranks were calculated (20th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 80th, and 99th) based on the number of shuttles completed and time (seconds) to complete the 2.4-km run. Results were split by sex and age (i.e., ,20 years, 20-29 years, 30-39 years, and 40-49 years). Linear regression analyzed the relationship between the 20MSFT to the 2.4-km run (using both seconds and km·h21), producing predictive equations to translate scores between the 2 assessments. These data presented the first detailed normative values by age and sex for Australian law enforcement recruits. Furthermore, the results demonstrated regression models could explain 65-74% of the variance observed (r2 5 0.649-0.741) between 20MSFT performance and 2.4-km run performance. This study's findings allow for normative performance for the purpose of benchmarking fitness, setting performance goal, and rehabilitation from injury. In addition, a valid conversion through a linear regression affords cross-agency comparisons and temporal changes in test selection/recruit cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although fatigue is commonly experienced in many highly demanding occupations (e.g., military, first responders, etc.), it is poorly defined. Fatigue can strongly affect occupational performance by negatively influencing the ability to interact with the world by altering the capacity to think, Manifestamove, feel, see, and speak. The first step in fatigue risk management strategies is to establish a context. The context of this narrative review is to specifically describe and discuss the 6 overarching types of occupational fatigue: cognitive, physical, burnout, emotional, visual, and vocal fatigue, and how each affects varying occupations. Furthermore, fatigue type can be influenced by several intrinsic factors, such as sleep deprivation, circadian alignment, ultradian process, sleep homeostasis, and health factors. Similarly, extrinsic factors influence fatigue, such as workload, shift work, and environmental issues. Under-Orgastanding the types and contributors to occupational fatigue may help clarify perfor the context of occupational fatigue and serve to guide future occupational fatigue management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Police officers may be required to use their firearms in self-defence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between hand grip size and strength with pistol shooting accuracy in police officers. Twelve (age = 38.08 ± 6.24 years; height = 174.42 ± 7.33 cm) police officers had their hand sizes (palm width and hand span) and hand grip strength measured. Handgrip dynamometer was set at a Glock 17 pistol's grip width (50 mm). The officers fired 10 rounds from their service pistols at a stationary target. Independent samples t-tests were performed to identify differences between the sexes. Correlations were used to investigate relationships between measures of hand size, strength, and marksmanship. Alpha levels were set at p < 0.05. Male officers were significantly stronger (p = 0.01) and had a bigger hand width (p = 0.03), but not hand span. There were no significant differences in marksmanship between the sexes. Neither hand size nor grip strength had a significant impact on marksmanship even though there were strong and significant relationships between hand size (span and MCP) and grip strength. A V-shaped curve appears to exist between grip strength and marksmanship and hand span and marksmanship, with a potential influencing factor being the standard sizing of the pistol grip.