A functional movement screen profile of an Australian state police force: a retrospective cohort study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Michael Stierli¹  Robin Marc Orr¹  Rodney Pope¹  Ben Hinton¹ 

[1] Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, QLD 4226, Gold Coast, Australia;

关键词: Law enforcement;    Tactical;    Screening;    Movement skills;    Injury;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12891-016-1146-0

 received in 2015-12-24, accepted in 2016-06-28,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPolice officers are required to perform dynamic movements in unpredictable environments, the results of which can lead to injury. Early identification of poor movement patterns of a police population, and potential sub groups within this population, may provide opportunities to treat and minimise injury risks. The aim of this study was to profile the functional movement capabilities of an Australian state police force and potential sub groups through a retrospective cohort study.MethodsRetrospective data from an Australian State Police Force were provided for analysis (♂ n = 1155, mean (±SD) age = 31.34 ± 8.41 years: ♀ n = 357, mean age = 27.99 ± 8.02 years). Data consisted of Functional Movement Screen (FMS) assessment results of male and female trainees and qualified police officers with all assessments conducted by a qualified Police Physical Training Instructor.ResultsSignificantly higher (U = 253863, p < .001) FMS total scores were found for recruits (mean 15.23 ± SD 2.01 points) when compared to attested officers (14.57 ± 2.96 points) and differences in FMS total scores also approached significance for females (15.24 ± 2.35 points) when compared to males (14.84 ± 2.55 points, U = 186926, p = .007), with age found to be a key, significant factor in explaining these observed differences (F (1,1507) = 23.519, p < .001). The FMS components demonstrating poorest movement performance across all groups were the hurdle step and rotary stability.ConclusionsGenerally, police personnel (both attested officers and recruits of both genders) of greater age have a lower functional movement capability when compared to younger personnel, with greater percentages scoring 14 or below on the FMS. Specific conditioning programs to improve strength, range of motion and stability during identified key movement types in those demonstrating poorer movement performance may serve to reduce injuries in police personnel.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016