Construction of a police physical evaluation model and standards based on law enforcement ability

Purpose: In the context of police practical combat with the essence of coercion and confrontation, police physical fitness training guided by practical combat is increasingly valued. The objective of this study was to establish a police physical evaluation model and standards based on law enforcement ability. Methods: Using literature analysis, expert interviews, Delphi method, field testing, and mathematical statistics, the test results of 301 frontline law enforcement police officers from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau were used as sample data. Factor analysis was conducted on the selected indicators to determine the final indicator system for police physical fitness. The percentile method was used to develop evaluation standards, and frequency statistics and chi-squared tests were used to calculate the effectiveness and accuracy of the evaluation standards. Results: The research results revealed that the police physical fitness evaluation model based on law enforcement ability is Y = 0.115 × 30 s of trigger pulling according to the gun + 0.105 × 30 s of straight punching sandbags + 0.095 × 30 s of wrestling the dummy + 0.062 × push-ups + 0.115 × 50-m run + 0.095 × 10 m × 4 round trips + 0.116 × standing long jump + 0.090 × 2,000-m run + 0.089 × 30 s of hitting sandbags using a short baton + 0.118 × 30 s of poking sandbags using the long baton. The evaluation criteria were divided into single-item and comprehensive evaluation criteria. Conclusion: A practical police physical fitness evaluation model can effectively evaluate the level of police physical fitness development, and the evaluation standards can provide an effective basis for a practical police physical fitness evaluation.

The reliability, validity and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test for cardiorespiratory fitness assessment in military personnel

The objectives of this study were to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15_IFT) in soldiers. The 34 infantry members of the Slovenian armed forces were recruited as participants. Participants performed the continuous incremental treadmill test (TR), a 2-mile run (2_MR) test, and two 30-15_IFT tests. Additionally, participants were divided into a highest-scoring group (HSG) and a lowest-scoring group (LSG) based on their scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test. A very high reliability ratings were observed for 30-15_IFT measures, as follows: end-running speed (ERS) ERS_IFT (ICC = 0.971)_, maximal heart rate (HR_max) HR_maxIFT (IC = 0.960)_, and maximal relative oxygen consumption (VO_2max) VO_2max-IFT (ICC = 0.975)_. Although 30-15_IFT measures demonstrated high correlations (r = 0.695-0.930) to the same measures of TR test, ERS, HR_max and VO_2max were higher in the 30-15_IFT (p > 0.05)_. Furthermore, ERS_IFT and predicted VO_2maxIFT were higher in HSG compared to LSG, whereas HR_max did not differ. The results of this study show that the 30-15_IFT test is a reliable, valid and useful tool for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in the armed forces. Moreover, the ERS and predicted VO₂max values derived from the 30-15_IFT could be considered more sensitive markers of combat readiness than the parameters derived from the TR and 2_MR tests.Trial registration number: NCT05218798.

Reliability and validity of 30-15 intermittent fitness test for cardiorespiratory fitness assessment among infantry members of Slovenian armed forces: A study protocol

Introduction

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) testing is routinely performed by most armed and tactical forces around the world as part of their recruitment process for new members or simply as an annual examination of their personnel. A 2-mile run (2MR) test is among the most commonly used. However, as it is performed outdoors, weather, climate, and terrain can influence the results and often limit the maximum performance. Also, this test has been shown to be difficult for individuals because the pacing strategy is self-paced. As such, it does not reflect the real situation on the battlefield, where most activities are externally driven by the environment and the enemy. Therefore, we believe that the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) may be a suitable tool for measuring CRF and battle readiness of military personnel. Moreover, given the importance of visual attention to military personnel we aim to investigate the differences in visual attention between better and less physically prepared infantry members and its corresponding response to maximal endurance running test.

Methods and analysis

This randomized cross-over study using a within-subjects test-retest design will enroll 32 infantry members of the Slovenian Armed Forces. To investigate the reliability and validity of the 30-15IFT test, an incremental treadmill test (TR), a 2MR test, and two identical 30-15IFT will be performed in randomized order. Additionally, participants will be subsequently divided into two groups based on their score on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), whereas differences in visual attention will be assessed by using the d2 test. The primary analysis will assess differences in key physiological outcomes between the different CRF tests (TR vs. 2MR vs. 30-15IFT). In addition, the relative reliability of all dependent variables between two 30-15IFT trials will be estimated by interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), while relationship between maximal oxygen uptake, heart rate and maximal running speed of 30-15IFT, TR and 2MR will be assessed using Pearson's correlation.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the National Medical Ethics Committee (reference number: 0120-495/2021/6). The results of the proposed study will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Clinical Trial Registration

[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05218798].