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The Physical Fitness Effects of a Week-Long Specialist Tactical Police Selection Course

Author

Listed:
  • Ben Schram

    (Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia
    Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia)

  • Jeremy Robinson

    (Specialist Response Group—Tactical Response Team, Australian Federal Police, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Robin Orr

    (Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia
    Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia)

Abstract

Specialist police tactical teams, like special operations military personnel, are tasked with dangerous, high risk missions which are beyond the scope of general police. Consequently, the selection courses for entry into these teams are physiologically and psychologically demanding. The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological effects of a five-day selection course to aid in candidate preparation and course planning. Measures included body mass, grip strength, sit-and-reach flexibility, and a vertical jump assessment. Eleven candidates finished the selection course with significant decreases in body mass (−2.05 kg, p = 0.006 (95% CI = 3.65–0.45)), grip strength in the right (−14.48 kg, p < 0.001 (95% CI = 21.32–7.64)) and left (−14.27 kg, p < 0.001 (95% CI = 21.89–6.66)) hands and in sit-and-reach flexibility (−6.64 cm, p < 0.001 (95% CI = 9.94–3.33)). No significant decreases in power output or peak jump velocity of 669.77 W (95% CI = 1942.92–603.39) and 0.28 m/s (95% CI = 0.69–0.14) were found and a non-significant, overall increase in vertical jump height of 6.09 cm (95% CI = −6.08 to 18.79) was seen. Decreases in body mass, grip strength and lower limb flexibility are evident in a grueling five-day selection course. Individuals planning on attending these courses should plan for these negative effects and build redundancy into their performance to minimize the effects of fatigue, decrease injury risk and maximize chances of completion.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6782-:d:415138
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. Jeremy Robinson & Ben Schram & Elisa Canetti & Robin Orr, 2019. "Do Barrier Test Results Predict Survival in Specialist Police Tactical Selection Courses?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-6, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Viktor Soltes & Jozef Kubas & Andrej Velas & David Michalík, 2021. "Occupational Safety of Municipal Police Officers: Assessing the Vulnerability and Riskiness of Police Officers’ Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Justin J. Merrigan & Jason D. Stone & Andrew G. Thompson & W. Guy Hornsby & Joshua A. Hagen, 2020. "Monitoring Neuromuscular Performance in Military Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Jessica Strader & Ben Schram & Shane Irving & Jeremy Robinson & Robin Orr, 2020. "Special Weapons and Tactics Occupational-Specific Physical Assessments and Fitness Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-14, November.

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