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Athletic Injuries: A Comparative Study of Municipal/County Basic Police Cadets at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy

NCJ Number
115920
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1988) Pages: 80-83
Author(s)
J E Regali
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The relationship between physical fitness (heart rate, blood pressure, body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility) and athletic injuries was investigated in a sample of 244 males and 23 females in 8 Maine police cadet training classes.
Abstract
In order of frequency, injuries documented in the study included knee injuries, sprains, muscle and ligament pulls, back injuries, shin splints, shoulder overuse, achilles tendonitis, and stress fractures. Data indicate that low levels of fitness create a predisposition to injuries in certain fitness areas. Males 20 to 29 years old showed a greater possibility of being injured than females and males in other age groups. Males in this age group had more body fat, less absolute strength in the upper body, less dynamic strength in the abdomen, and difficulty with the 1.5 mile run. For 20-to 29-year old females injury was significantly related to only resting heart rate and leg press performance. For males age 30 to 39, only sit up performance was related to injury; and for males 40 to 49 injury was nonsignificantly related only to blood pressure. Implications of results for job performance and potential workers' compensation claims are discussed. 1 table and 15 references.