Fit (and Healthy) for Duty: Blood Lipid Profiles and Physical Fitness Test Relationships from Police Officers in a Health and Wellness Program

Robert G. Lockie, Robin M. Orr and J. Jay Dawes
Additional contact information
Robert G. Lockie: Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
Robin M. Orr: Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
J. Jay Dawes: School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: This research analyzed archival health and wellness program data (2018: 169 males, 39 females; 2019: 194 males, 43 females) to document police officer lipid profiles, and correlate lipids with fitness. Bloodwork included total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). Fitness data included maximal aerobic capacity (V · O 2max ); sit-and-reach; push-ups; vertical jump; grip strength; sit-ups; and relative bench press (RBP). Lipid profiles were compared to national standards. Spearman’s correlations derived relationships between lipids and fitness ( p < 0.05). Over 2018–2019, 68–76% of officers had desirable TC (<200 mg/dL) and HDL-C (≥60 mg/dL); 67–72% had desirable TG (<150 mg/dL). 54–62% of officers had LDL-C above desirable (≥100 mg/dL); 13–14% had mildly high TG (150–199 mg/dL); 16–18% had high TG (200–499 mg/dL). In 2018, HDL-C correlated with V · O 2max , push-ups, grip strength, and RBP in males, and sit-ups in females. TG correlated with V · O 2max (both sexes), sit-ups (males), and grip strength (females). In 2019, TG related to V · O 2max , push-ups, vertical jump, sit-ups, and RBP in males. TG and LDL-C related to push-ups, and HDL-C to sit-ups and RBP in females. Relationship strengths were trivial-to-small ( ρ = ±0.157 − 0.389). Most officers had good lipid profiles relative to cardiovascular disease risk. Nonetheless, the data highlighted the need for comprehensive approaches to decreasing risk.

Keywords: aerobic fitness; cardiovascular disease; cholesterol; high-density lipoproteins; law enforcement officer; low-density lipoproteins; police; sit-ups; tactical; triglycerides (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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