Differences In Strength Scores Research Articles

Surgical Training and Education in Promoting Professionalism: a comparative assessment of virtue-based leadership development in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents

IntroductionSurgical Training and Education in Promoting Professionalism (STEPP) was developed in 2011 to train tomorrow's leaders during residency. It is based on virtue ethics and takes an approach similar to West Point military academy. The purpose of this research was: (i) to compare the virtue profiles of our residents with that of the military cohort using a standardized virtue assessment tool; and (ii) to assess the value of virtue education on residents.MethodsAs part of STEPP, otolaryngology residents participated in a virtue-based validated assessment tool called Virtue in Action (VIA) Inventory. This was completed at the initiation of STEPP in July 2011 as well as 1 year later in June 2012. Comparison of the VIA to a military cohort was performed. Leadership ‘Basic Training’ is a series of forums focused on virtues of initiative, integrity, responsibility, self-discipline, and accountability. A pre- and post-test was administered assessing resident perceptions of the value of this ‘Basic Training’.ResultsVirtues are shared between otolaryngology residents (n=9) and military personnel (n=2,433) as there were no significant differences in strength scores between two military comparison groups and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) residents. There was a significant improvement (p<0.001) in the understanding of components of the leadership vision and a significant improvement in the understanding of key leadership concepts based on ‘Basic Training’. All residents responded in the post-test that the STEPP program was valuable, up from 56%.ConclusionsA virtue-based approach is valued by residents as a part of leadership training during residency.

Longitudinal Changes in Strength of Police Officers With Gender Comparisons

Strength is a critical factor in the health and job performance of police officers. Using a retrospective longitudinal design, the purpose of this study was to identify differences in strength scores from initial recruitment to in-service tests and to compare gender differences. Strength changes were also compared in low- to high-strength groups. Strength scores included bench press, bench press/lean weight, and bench press/weight. Body weight, percent body fat, and bench press scores were retrieved for the 1990-1995 recruit classes and were paired to most recent scores on 2006 in-service fitness record. Sample included 327 police officers: 30 females and 297 males. Mean age at initial recruitment was 24.6 years and for in-service was 37.1 years. Average time between tests was 12.5 years. Over this period bench press and bench press/lean weight significantly increased for both gender groups (p <or= 0.05). Bench press/weight remained relatively consistent. When dividing the men's strength scores into five low- to high-strength groups, there tended to be an averaging effect over time with the strongest group changing least and the weakest group changing most. In conclusion, the results of this study did not follow expected strength trends, which reported annual declines in muscular strength in men and women. Overall, officers increased in strength well into their late 30s. The practical applications of this study include documented benefits gained from maintaining ongoing fitness training and testing, as well as the potentially positive role of weight gain on strength. Also, low- to high-strength groups did not change relative positions over time even with improvements in strength scores, demonstrating the importance of minimum selection criteria for police.

Race Comparisons Of Longitudinal Changes In Strength Of Police Officers

Strength profiles of police officers from recruitment to in-service, especially when considering gender, race and age, provides a basis for designing effective training, hiring, and retention procedures. No longitudinal police research was found that compared strength changes over time relative to race. PURPOSE: To identify differences in strength scores from initial-recruit to in-service tests and to compare racial differences using a retrospective longitudinal design. METHODS: Strength variables included bench press, bench press/lean weight and bench press/weight. Body weight, percent body fat, and bench press scores were retrieved for the 1990 to 1995 recruit classes and were paired to the most recent scores on 2006 in-service fitness log. Sample included 309 police officers: 30 females (13 black, 17 white) and 279 males (41 black, 238 white). RESULTS: Mean age at initial-recruit was 24.6 ± 3.4 years and for in-service was 37.1 ± 3.7 years. Average time between tests was 12.5 ± 2.0 years. Bench press strength significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) for all gender and racial groups from initial-recruit to in-service tests. Black males vs. white males were significantly (p ≤ 0.01) stronger in bench press strength at initial-recruit (95.1 ± 24.6 kg vs. 84.1 ± 21.1 kg) and at in-service (109.5 ± 20.3 kg vs. 97.5 ± 20.6 kg). No significant differences in the amount of change were found between genders and between races for all strength variables. All racial and gender groups increased in bench press/lean weight, however the increase in white females was not significant. No differences were found between black and white females in all strength variables at both testing periods. Black males were significantly stronger than white males in bench press/weight only at the initial-recruit test (1.12 ± 0.27 vs. 1.03 ± 0.23, p ≤ 0.05). White males showed a significant increase in bench press/weight over time (1.03 ± 0.23 to 1.06 ± 0.22, p ≤ 0.05) but they did not reach the strength level of the black males at in-service (1.09 ± 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Police departments, with the implementation of a properly designed physical fitness program, can expect to see increases in the strength of their personnel over the first half of their careers; however, there are gender and racial differences related to strength gain.