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Leg Power As an Indicator of Risk of Injury or Illness in Police Recruits

Author

Listed:
  • Robin Orr

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4226, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rodney Pope

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4226, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Samantha Peterson

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4226, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Benjamin Hinton

    (New South Wales Police Department, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Michael Stierli

    (New South Wales Police Department, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Tactical trainees, like those entering the police force, are required to undergo vigorous training as part of their occupational preparation. This training has the potential to cause injuries. In addition, the physical training, communal living and pressures of tactical training are known to induce immune suppression and have the potential to increase the risk of illness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between leg power, as measured by a vertical jump (VJ), and rates of reported injuries and illnesses during police recruit training. Retrospective data from recruits ( n = 1021) undergoing basic police recruit training at an Australian Police Force College was collected. Recruits completed a VJ assessment at the commencement of their second state of training. Formally reported illness and injuries were collected 12 weeks later, following completion of training. Correlations between VJ height and rates of reported illness and injury were low ( r = −0.16 and −0.09, respectively) but significant ( p < 0.005), with VJ height accounting for 2.6% and 0.8% of the variance in illness and injury rates, respectively. In terms of relative risks, recruits with the lowest recorded VJ heights were more than three times as likely as those with highest VJ heights to suffer injury and/or illness. Police recruits with lower VJ height are at a significantly greater risk of suffering an injury or illness during police basic recruit training.

Suggested Citation

  • Robin Orr & Rodney Pope & Samantha Peterson & Benjamin Hinton & Michael Stierli, 2016. "Leg Power As an Indicator of Risk of Injury or Illness in Police Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:2:p:237-:d:64121
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arvey, R.D. & maxwell, S.E. & Landon, T.E. & Nutting, S.M., 1992. "The Development of Physical Ability Tests for Police Officers: A Construct Validation Approach," Papers 92-05, Minnesota - Industrial Relations Center.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Watterson, 2016. "Occupational Safety and Related Impacts on Health and the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-4, October.
    2. Robin Orr & Takato Sakurai & Jordan Scott & Jason Movshovich & J. Jay Dawes & Robert Lockie & Ben Schram, 2021. "The Use of Fitness Testing to Predict Occupational Performance in Tactical Personnel: A Critical Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Robert G. Lockie & J. Jay Dawes & Matthew R. Moreno & Megan B. McGuire & Tomas J. Ruvalcaba & Ashley M. Bloodgood & Joseph M. Dulla & Robin M. Orr, 2020. "We Need You: Influence of Hiring Demand and Modified Applicant Testing on the Physical Fitness of Law Enforcement Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Robert G. Lockie & Robin M. Orr & J. Jay Dawes, 2022. "Justified Concerns? An Exploration of the Leg Tuck in a Tactical Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Robin Orr & Ben Schram & Rodney Pope, 2018. "A Comparison of Military and Law Enforcement Body Armour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-12, February.
    6. Robert G. Lockie & Katherine Balfany & Ashley M. Bloodgood & Matthew R. Moreno & Karly A. Cesario & Joseph M. Dulla & J. Jay Dawes & Robin M. Orr, 2019. "The Influence of Physical Fitness on Reasons for Academy Separation in Law Enforcement Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-13, January.
    7. Danny Maupin & Ben Schram & Elisa F. D. Canetti & Joseph M. Dulla & J. Jay Dawes & Robert G. Lockie & Robin M. Orr, 2022. "Profiling the Typical Training Load of a Law Enforcement Recruit Class," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    8. Robert G. Lockie & Robin M. Orr & J. Jay Dawes, 2022. "Fit (and Healthy) for Duty: Blood Lipid Profiles and Physical Fitness Test Relationships from Police Officers in a Health and Wellness Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    9. Ben Schram & Jeremy Robinson & Robin Orr, 2020. "The Physical Fitness Effects of a Week-Long Specialist Tactical Police Selection Course," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-12, September.
    10. Graham Marvin & Ben Schram & Robin Orr & Elisa F. D. Canetti, 2023. "Occupation-Induced Fatigue and Impacts on Emergency First Responders: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-45, November.
    11. Robin Orr & Elisa F. D. Canetti & Rodney Pope & Robert G. Lockie & J. Jay Dawes & Ben Schram, 2023. "Characterization of Injuries Suffered by Mounted and Non-Mounted Police Officers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    12. Robin Orr & Rodney Pope & Michael Stierli & Benjamin Hinton, 2017. "Grip Strength and Its Relationship to Police Recruit Task Performance and Injury Risk: A Retrospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-11, August.
    13. Matthew R. Moreno & Karly A. Rodas & Ashley M. Bloodgood & J. Jay Dawes & Joseph M. Dulla & Robin M. Orr & Robert G. Lockie, 2020. "The Influence of Aerobic Fitness on Heart Rate Responses of Custody Assistant Recruits during Circuit Training Sessions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-13, November.

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