A Preliminary Investigation: Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Occupational Specific Training Program to Improve Lower Body Strength and Speed for Law Enforcement Officers

Ian Bonder, Andrew Shim, Robert G. Lockie and Tara Ruppert
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Ian Bonder: Department of Kinesiology & Exercise Science, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Andrew Shim: Department of Kinesiology & Exercise Science, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Robert G. Lockie: Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
Tara Ruppert: Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 68106, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: Based on current law enforcement officer (LEO) duties, musculoskeletal injury risk is elevated due to the unpredictable nature of physically demanding tasks. The purpose of this 4-week study was to determine the effectiveness of a 15-min post-shift standardized occupational specific training program. The standardized program was designed to improve lower-body strength and speed to aid physically demanding task performance. Seven male LEOs completed the program after their 12-h shift. Subjects were required to use the department fitness center to perform the 15-min standardized program consisting of a dynamic warm-up, 4 sets of 3 repetitions on hex-bar deadlift and four 20-m sprints. Two minutes of rest was required between each set of 3 repetitions on hex-bar deadlift and 1 min of rest between each 20-m sprint. A dependent T-test was used between pre-test and post-test scores for hex-bar deadlift (HBD) and sprint. Data revealed significant improvements in relative lower-body strength with HBD ( p ? 0.001). However, insignificant results were demonstrated with the 20-m sprint ( p ? 0.262). In conclusion, a 15-min post-shift workout can improve lower-body strength as measured by the hex-bar deadlift. However, data indicated running speed may require a different training approach to improve the 20-m sprint.

Keywords: strength; power; hex bar deadlift; sprint; speed; law enforcement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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