Vol 13, Issue 6

The Impact Of External Loads Carried By Police Officers On Vertical Jump Performance

October 15, 2020 - By 

Authors

Amy Wiley, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University
Aaron Joseph, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University
Robin Marc Orr, Tactical Research Unit, Bond University
Ben Schram, Tactical Research Unit, Bond University
Charles Kornhauser, Colorado State Patrol
Ryan J. Holmes, Colorado State Patrol
J. Jay Dawes, Oklahoma State University
International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 1179-1189, 2020.
DOI: 10.70252/MTPB8978

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact that external loads have on vertical jump height and peak anaerobic power output (PAPw) of police officers during a vertical jump (VJ) test. Retrospective data of 47 (mean age 38.79 ± 7.97 years) police officers from a US Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) were used for analysis. VJ heights and body mass were used in the Sayers Peak Power Equation to calculate PAPw. Power-to-weight (P:W) ratios were then calculated by dividing PAPw by the officer’s body mass. VJ height significantly (p < .001) decreased with load (unloaded = 49.49 ± 8.46 cm: loaded = 43.62 ± 7.68 cm). A Pearson’s correlation showed a significant (p < .01) low-moderate (r = .387) relationship between absolute load (9.57 ± .94 kg) and change in PAPw, and a significant (p < .01) strong (r = .794) correlation between relative load and changes in P:W. This study supports previous research that suggests that occupational load carriage has a negative impact on VJ performance in police officers and may influence job performance, and that training programs may mitigate these negative effects.

Recommended Citation