Changes in Australian law enforcement recruit aerobic fitness and the development of normative data after academy training

Abstract

Background: Measures of aerobic fitness are an important component of law enforcement academy training to ensure a recruit’s physical capacity is sufficient to complete occupational demands. Law enforcement officers can be required to conduct rapid foot pursuits and restrain suspects, all while carrying additional loads (e.g., body armour and firearms). Thus, these officers require a sufficient level of fitness. Due to the importance of physical fitness in carrying out occupational tasks and reducing injury risk, this study aimed to quantify changes in aerobic fitness during law enforcement academy training and to establish normative aerobic fitness values which can evaluate recruit fitness across jurisdictions.