Abstract
Shaping Up: Body Composition and Police Recruit Performance, a Cross-Sectional Study
Journal of science and medicine in sport, Vol.27(Supplement 1), pp.S85-S86
2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference (MCG, 16/10/2024–19/10/2024)
10/2024
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Introduction: It is essential that Police Force recruit training programs improve the physical capabilities of recruits, so they graduate job-ready for the performance demands of the occupation. To measure performance demands, the Western Australia (WA) Police Force utilise a standardised Physical Performance Evaluation (PPE), which is a timed test inclusive of running and progressing through an obstacle course. Whilst previous research has explored the relationship of injury and performance the association between multi-compartmental derived body composition measurements and physical performance is unknown. The purpose of our study was to address the knowledge gap on kinanthropometric factors that may contribute to physical performance in Police Force recruits.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study involving WA Police Force recruits commencing training between January to October 2022. Participants provided informed consent, were vetted for psychological suitability, and were without medical constraints. Demographic data were collected in person. Body composition was captured using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated using the beep test, and occupational performance demands assessed via the PPE. Relationships between variables were explored using generalised linear models, adjusting for age and sex, significant set at p<0.05.
Results: Twenty-seven recruits volunteered to participate in this study. Median (range) age was 27 (21-51) years, approximately 40% (n=11) were women. Median (range) beep-test level was 9 (6-11), and PPE completion time was 131 (85-315) seconds. Median (range) body fat percentage was 21 (12-34) percent, and body mass index (BMI) was 23 (17-33) kg/m2. Higher body fat percentage was significantly associated with a slower PPE (B=5.727, 95%CI=3.373-8.081, p< 0.001). However, younger recruits (aged under 30 years) performed better than older recruits on the PPE, irrespective of body fat percentage (B= -4.915, 95%CI= -8.555 to -1.25, p=0.008). Higher appendicular lean mass (ALM) was associated with slower PPE (B= 2.456, 95%CI= 0.991-3.922, p=0.001). A larger DXA-derived waist circumference was associated with a slower PPE (B= 3.941, 95%CI= 2.344 to 5.538, p<0.001).
Details
- Title
- Shaping Up: Body Composition and Police Recruit Performance, a Cross-Sectional Study
- Creators
- V. Sutton - Edith Cowan UniversityM. Murphy - Edith Cowan UniversityC. McCaskie - Edith Cowan UniversityP. Chivers - Edith Cowan UniversityN. Hart - University of Technology SydneyG. Allen - Western Australia PoliceJ. Dalla Via - Edith Cowan UniversityJodie Cochrane Wilkie - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication Details
- Journal of science and medicine in sport, Vol.27(Supplement 1), pp.S85-S86
- Conference
- 2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference (MCG, 16/10/2024–19/10/2024)
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- This study was funded by a Defence Science Centre of WA Research Higher Degree Student Grant (G1006527).
- Identifiers
- 991013277910602368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Abstract