Physical activity in police beyond self-report

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
• Physical Activity Measurement

Background:

• Police officers exhibit elevated cardiovascular disease risk.
• Reduced occupational physical activity may be a contributing factor.
• Limited data exists on the physical demands of police work beyond self-reporting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare physical activity levels of police officers during work versus off-duty hours.
• To investigate the influence of stress on police officers' physical activity.
• To examine sex-based differences in physical activity and stress response.

Main Methods:

• 119 police officers from six departments participated.
• A pattern recognition monitor was used for 96-hour measurement.
• Measured parameters included total energy expenditure, activity intensity, and step count per hour.

Main Results:

• Officers demonstrated higher physical activity levels during off-duty hours compared to work hours.
• The impact of stress on physical activity appeared to be moderated by sex.
• Police work was characterized by lower overall physical exertion.

Conclusions:

• Police work is predominantly a sedentary occupation.
• Officers are more physically active during their personal time than during their duty shifts.
• Findings suggest a need for interventions to increase on-duty physical activity.