NCJ Number
50851
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 58-63
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY THE CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE COMBINES REGULAR PHYSICAL CHECK-UPS WITH AN EXERCISE ROUTINE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF HEART DISEASE, BACK PROBLEMS, AND INJURIES ON THE JOB.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM BEGAN AFTER A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE SHOWED THAT POLICE OFFICERS AGED 36-52 WERE BELOW THE PHYSICAL STANDARDS FOUND IN OTHERS OF THEIR AGE GROUP. OLDER POLICE OFFICERS GENERALLY HAD EXCESSIVE BODY WEIGHT AND FAT, HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS, AND MANY SMOKED EXCESSIVELY AND DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. THE PROGRAM COMBINES REGULAR MEDICAL CHECKUPS WITH EXERCISES TARGETTED AT PROBLEMS COMMON TO POLICE OFFICERS. SINCE OFFICERS WHO SPEND CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF TIME SITTING IN CRUISERS OFTEN DEVELOP BACK PROBLEMS, BACK FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES ARE INCLUDED. EXERCISES FOR ARM STRENGTH, OVERALL AGILITY, AND IMPROVED CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITION ARE INCLUDED. THE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN BETTER HEALTH FOR OFFICERS WHILE ON DUTY AND BETTER HEALTH AFTER RETIREMENT.