Body Composition and Physical Activity of Female Police Officers: Do Occupation and Age Matter?

Filip Kukić, Katie M. Heinrich, Nenad Koropanovski, Gianpiero Greco (), Stefania Cataldi () and Milivoj Dopsaj
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Filip Kukić: Police Sports Education Centre, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi 253, United Arab Emirates
Katie M. Heinrich: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Nenad Koropanovski: Department of Criminalistics, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Gianpiero Greco: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Study of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Stefania Cataldi: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Study of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Milivoj Dopsaj: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-9

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the differences in the body composition and volume of leisure time physical activity (V-LTPA) of female police officers from two police occupations and to assess the differences when officers are matched by age. Body composition measures including body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (%BF), and percent of skeletal muscle mass (%SMM) of female communal police (n = 56) and general police (n = 90) were compared. Officers were allocated into three age groups: 29 years and younger, 30–39 years, and 40 years and older. We used an independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple analyses of variance to investigate the differences between occupations, between age groups, and between-occupation-within-age differences in body composition. Communal police officers had significantly ( p < 0.05) lower BMI and %BF and higher %SMM compared to general police. Significant differences were found between age groups, with the youngest officers having lower BMI and %BF and higher %SMM and V-LTPA. Finally, differences in body composition were no longer significant when officers from different occupations were compared within age groups. Police agencies should consider supporting and motivating officers through policies to encourage leisure time physical activities for female officers. Other mechanisms for the management of body composition should also be considered.

Keywords: occupational health; physical fitness; obesity; exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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