Abstract
ObjectivesReport the injury epidemiology of law enforcement and firefighter recruits.DesignA systematic epidemiological review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines was completed.Data sourcesFive online databases were searched from database inception to 5 May 2021.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesProspective and retrospective studies that reported data on musculoskeletal injuries sustained by law enforcement or firefighter recruits were included. We reported on all components of injury where data were available. All injury incidence rates were calculated as per 1000 training days (Poisson 95% CI) to allow comparisons between studies. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Quality Assessment Checklist for Prevalence Studies.ResultsNo studies reporting firefighter recruits were identified. Eight published studies that reported on injuries to law enforcement recruits were identified. The studies were all low quality, and the credibility of the evidence was assessed as very low. Seven studies reported medical attention injuries, and one study reported the number of medical withdrawals from a recruit training programme. The prevalence of law enforcement recruits with medical attention injuries ranged from 13.7% to 24.5%. The overall medical attention injury incidence rate for law enforcement recruits ranged from 1.67 injuries per 1000 training days (Poisson 95% CI 1.00 to 2.34 injuries per 1000 training days) to 4.24 injuries per 1000 training days (Poisson 95% CI 2.97 to 5.51 injuries per 1000 training days).ConclusionThis review reported the prevalence and incidence rates for musculoskeletal injuries in law enforcement officers. However, the credibility of the evidence is very low.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021251084.
Highlights
Tactical operators undergo intense and strenuous physical training programmes as a part of their qualification process to prepare for the demands of their role, with the Summary boxWhat is already known? ► Injuries to law enforcement officers and firefighters have been reported throughout the literature
What are the new findings? ► No studies have reported the injury profile of firefighter recruits. ► Medical attention injuries in law enforcement recruits ranged from 13.7% to 24.5%. ► Law enforcement officers’ medical attention injury incidence rate ranged from 1.67 to 4.24/1000 training days. ► Most law enforcement officers’ medical attention injuries are distributed between the upper limb (12.5%–38.2%), trunk/spine/abdomen (19.1%– 50%) and lower limb (25%–41.1%)
The overall medical attention injury incidence rate for police recruits ranged from 1.67 injuries per 1000 training days (Poisson 95% CI 1.00 to 2.34 injuries per 1000 training days) to 4.24 injuries per 1000 training days (Poisson 95% CI 2.97 to 5.51 injuries per 1000 training days)
Summary
Tactical operators (such as law enforcement officers or firefighters) undergo intense and strenuous physical training programmes as a part of their qualification process to prepare for the demands of their role, with the Summary boxWhat is already known? ► Injuries to law enforcement officers and firefighters have been reported throughout the literature. Tactical operators (such as law enforcement officers or firefighters) undergo intense and strenuous physical training programmes as a part of their qualification process to prepare for the demands of their role, with the Summary box. ► Injuries to law enforcement officers and firefighters have been reported throughout the literature. ► Medical attention injuries in law enforcement recruits ranged from 13.7% to 24.5%. ► Law enforcement officers’ medical attention injury incidence rate ranged from 1.67 to 4.24/1000 training days. Duration of training differing between professions and countries.[1–3] These intense training programmes are important as they mirror the demands of the occupation and ensure law enforcement officers and firefighters are job-ready. These job-specific physical training programmes have been shown to result in injuries.[1–3]. These job-specific physical training programmes have been shown to result in injuries.[1–3] it is reasonable to expect musculoskeletal injuries to law enforcement officers and firefighters are common during their training processes
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