NCJ Number
58685
Journal
Trooper Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 71,73,75-77
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORS INDICATES THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN THE POLICE PROFESSION FOR ALLEVIATING JOB STRESS AND OUTLINES AN OFFICER FITNESS PROGRAM.
Abstract
BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE EXERCISE AND IMPROPER NUTRITION, POLICE OFFICERS ARE AS SUSCEPTIBLE TO STRESS AND DISEASE AS THE GENERAL POPULATION. TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE DECREASED THE NEED FOR REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERTION ON THE JOB AND HAVE MADE AN OFFICER'S PHYSICAL FITNESS DEPENDENT UPON THE AMOUNT OF EXERCISE RECEIVED OFF THE JOB. FOR OFFICERS, FITNESS MEANS HAVING THE ENERGY TO CARRY OUT DAILY ASSIGNMENTS AND BEING ABLE TO MEET EMERGENCIES. FITNESS ALSO RELATES TO QUALITIES OF AGILITY AND OVERALL HEALTH. HEALTH COMPONENTS TO BE EMPHASIZED IN A FITNESS PROGRAM INCLUDE CARDIO-RESPIRATORY ENDURANCE, STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, AND WEIGHT CONTROL/BODY COMPOSITION. FITNESS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PREVENTION OF ILLNESS; CORONARY RISK FACTORS SUCH AS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND OBESITY CAN BE DECREASED WITH PROPER DIET AND EXERCISE. FITNESS ALSO PREVENTS STRESS BY INCREASING ADAPTIVE ENERGY, RELEASING TENSION THROUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND PROVIDING A REFRESHING DIVERSION FROM OCCUPATIONAL CONCERNS. A PERSONAL FITNESS PROGRAM MUST IMPROVE AN OFFICER'S DIET, HYGIENE, EXERCISE, AND REST. MOST INDIVIDUALS REQUIRE 6 TO 8 HOURS OF SLEEP; WITHOUT IT THEY WILL BE IRRITABLE, DROWSY, AND INATTENTIVE. ANNUAL DENTAL AND MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS ARE NECESSARY DESPITE ANY APPEARANCE OF GOOD HEALTH. SMOKING SHOULD BE MINIMIZED AND A GOOD DIET IMPLEMENTED OR CONTINUED. THE OFFICER'S DIET SHOULD BE BALANCED, WITH ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF PROTEIN, FATS, CARBOHYDRATES, AND VITAMINS. PROPER DAILY CALORIC INTAKE MAY BE DETERMINED BY MULTIPLYING THE OFFICER'S WEIGHT IN POUNDS 15. THE IMPORTANCE OF A CONCURRENT PROGRAM OF EXERCISE IS EMPHASIZED. TABLES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LEVELS OF FITNESS ARE PROVIDED. (TWK).