Heart rate variability profile changes associated with specialist police selection activities: A case study

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Occupational Health
• Police Science

Background:

• Police Tactical Groups (PTGs) require rigorous selection courses (SCs) due to demanding duties.
• Holistic monitoring for overstress during SCs is beneficial.
• Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a viable stress measure in austere environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To profile HRV during a PTG SC.
• To assess HRV changes in relation to SC demands.
• To evaluate HRV as a tool for monitoring candidate stress.

Main Methods:

• HRV was measured using bioharnesses during a 36-hour PTG SC.
• One male police officer's data was analyzed.
• Minimal sleep (approx. 45 minutes) and physically demanding events characterized the SC.

Main Results:

• HRV analyses were conducted over 384 consecutive 5-minute intervals.
• HRV decline was observed during navigation planning and pack march.
• HRV increased during the pack march exercise and subsequent rest period.

Conclusions:

• HRV monitoring can provide insights into candidate responses to occupational challenges.
• HRV data may assist leadership in holistic personnel evaluation.
• HRV can potentially inform stakeholders about overstress in PTG candidates.