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.