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Special Weapons and Tactics Occupational-Specific Physical Assessments and Fitness Measures

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Strader

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4220, Australia)

  • Ben Schram

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4220, Australia
    Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4220, Australia)

  • Shane Irving

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4220, Australia)

  • Jeremy Robinson

    (Australian Federal Police, 47 Kings Avenue, Canberra 2600, ACT 2600, Australia)

  • Robin Orr

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4220, Australia
    Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4220, Australia)

Abstract

Specialist tactical response police are required to frequently perform physically demanding tasks at high-risk capability levels, emphasizing the need for optimal physical fitness in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between select measures of physical fitness and performance on an occupational-specific physical assessment (OSPA). A retrospective analysis on 18 male specialist police candidates (age = 32.1 ± 5.04 yrs; height = 183.72 ± 5.79 cm; body mass = 89.44 ± 8.56 kg; body mass index (BMI) = 26.45 ± 1.58 kg/m 2 ) was conducted. Data were comprised of anthropometric measures, assorted fitness measures and OSPA performance scores. A stepwise linear regression determined the influence of measured fitness parameters on OSPA performance. A regression featuring both the 1 RM military shoulder press and grip strength of the non-dominant hand was the most significant predictor of performance (adjusted r 2 = 0.565, p = 0.001). A separate model, exclusively using the 1 RM military shoulder press additionally predicted OSPA performance (adjusted r 2 = 0.240, p = 0.023). These results emphasize the importance of optimal upper-limb muscular strength and its impact on key occupational tasks in specialist police candidates.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8070-:d:438904
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rhiannon Thomas & Ben Schram & Shane Irving & Jeremy Robinson & Robin Orr, 2019. "Associations between Specialist Tactical Response Police Unit Selection Success and Urban Rush, along with 2.4 km and 10 km Loaded Carriage Events," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-9, September.
    2. Williams, Jimmy J. & Westall, David, 2003. "SWAT and non-SWAT police officers and the use of force," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 469-474.
    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.
    4. 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.
    5. Robert G. Lockie & J. Jay Dawes & Katherine Balfany & Ciara E. Gonzales & Maria M. Beitzel & Joseph M. Dulla & Robin M. Orr, 2018. "Physical Fitness Characteristics That Relate to Work Sample Test Battery Performance in Law Enforcement Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, November.
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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. Megan Sax van der Weyden & Christopher D. Black & Daniel Larson & Brian Rollberg & Jason A. Campbell, 2021. "Development of a Fitness Test Battery for Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Operators—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-11, July.

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