NCJ Number
47054
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 21-27
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
AN ARGUMENT THAT RUNNING OR JOGGING IS THE BEST EXERCISE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
WHEN AN OFFICER NEEDS TO RESPOND IN AN ALL-OUT EFFORT, THE SUCCESS RATE IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONATE TO THE FITNESS LEVEL OF NAMELY, CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE, MUSCULAR STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, SPEED, AGILITY, AND OPTIMAL BODY COMPOSITION. MOST FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES REQUIRE TESTS WHICH MEET MINIMUM STANDARDS OF PREPAREDNESS TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. HAVING LEFT THE TRAINING CENTERS, HOWEVER, POLICE OFFICERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ARE OFTEN ON THEIR OWN REGARDING LEVELS OF FITNESS. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT POLICE OFFICERS TEND TO BE LESS PHYSICALLY FIT THAN REPRESENTATIVE PORTIONS OF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION, WHILE REMAINING MORE VULNERABLE TO SITUATIONS THAT DEMAND ABOVE AVERAGE DEGREES OF FITNESS. POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ARE ALSO BECOMING MORE VULNERABLE TO HEART DISEASE AND OTHER CARDIORESPIRATORY AILMENTS WHICH EFFECTIVELY LIMIT THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM THE PRESCRIBED FUNCTIONS OF POLICE WORK. POLICE PERSONNEL SHOULD MAINTAIN A PERSONAL TOTAL FITNESS PROGRAM DEALING WITH THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONING, INCLUDING CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE, STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, AND DIET. UNQUESTIONABLY, THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE FITNESS PROGRAM SHOULD BE THE HEART MUSCLE -- WITHOUT A STRONG HEART THE REST IS ACADEMIC. AMONG PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING, BICYCLING, SKIING, AND TENNIS -- JOGGING -- IS THE MOST VALUABLE IN TERMS OF ACHIEVING CARDIORESPIRATORY STAMINA, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, BALANCE, WEIGHT CONTROL, MUSCLE DEFINITION, AND GOOD DIGESTION AND SLEEP. TABULAR DATA ON POLICE DISABILITY RETIREMENTS, AND CHARTS COMPARING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS FORMS OF EXERCISE ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)