Effect of a Law Enforcement Academy Training Program on Validated Fitness Outcomes of Cadets.

ABSTRACT: Martinez, GJ and Abel, MG. Effect of a law enforcement academy training program on validated fitness outcomes of cadets. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 955-962, 2021-The purpose of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of a law enforcement training program on physical fitness outcomes in police cadets. A convenience sample of 138 male and 8 female police cadets participated in a 23-week law enforcement training academy with validated fitness assessments conducted at entrance, midpoint, and exit from the academy. Demographic, anthropometric, and fitness data (i.e., 1.5-mile run, 1 repetition maximum bench press, sit-up repetitions, push-up repetitions, and 300-m run) were retrospectively collected. Analysis of variance was used to identify the influence of training on fitness outcomes over time and between cadet subgroup stratifications. Statistical significance for this study was set at p ≤ 0.05. All cadet subgroups (specialty-stratified and sex-stratified cohorts) exceeded the validated fitness standards on academy entrance and exit (p ≤ 0.01). The entire cohort significantly improved all fitness outcomes throughout the training program. Furthermore, improvements in all fitness outcomes were significantly greater from entrance to midpoint (4.4-35.7%, p ≤ 0.001) vs. midpoint to exit (1.2-15.4%, p < 0.05). Specifically, there were greater relative improvements in push-ups and sit-ups (57.5 and 28.7%, respectively; p < 0.001) compared with bench press (13.8%, p < 0.001), 300-m run (5.8%, p < 0.001), and 1.5-mile run (12.1%, p < 0.001). Regarding female cadets, the average relative improvement in fitness outcomes from entrance to exit assessments was superior compared to male counterparts for all fitness tests except sit-ups. Moreover, the specialty cadets produced lower 1.5-mile run times than nonspecialty cadets throughout the academy. Overall, the academy improved occupationally relevant fitness outcomes, with greater improvements occurring earlier in the academy.

Implementation of High Intensity Interval Training and Autoregulatory Progressive Resistance Exercise in a Law Enforcement Training Academy.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of implementing autoregulatory progressive resistance exercise (APRE) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) methodologies to improve physical fitness and occupational physical ability in police cadets. Two law enforcement academy classes were stratified into a standard care academy training cohort (SC; n=32, m=27, f=5) and a high performance cohort (HP; n=31; m=27, f=4) that utilized APRE and HIIT methodologies during a 17-week academy training program. Demographic, internal loading parameters, anthropometric, fitness outcomes (i.e., 1.5-mile run, 1-repetition maximum bench press, sit-up repetitions, push-up repetitions, & 300m run) and timed completion of a occupation physical ability test (OPAT) were collected at three academy time points (entrance, mid-point and exit). Mixed factor (time vs. group) repeated measures ANOVA were used to evaluate the effects of the training intervention on performance outcomes. Significance was set at p<0.05. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all fitness outcomes except the OPAT from entrance to exit tests (p<0.05). The HP experienced greater improvements in push-up performance compared to the SC (p<0.001). OPAT time decreased in both groups from entrance to midpoint, but significantly increased from baseline to exit (p<.05). Despite similar inter-group fitness improvements, the HP reported lower session RPE values (p<0.01), indicating fitness adaptations occurred at a lower internal load. This study demonstrated the feasibility of successfully implementing APRE and HIIT methodologies within a cadet population. Furthermore, these methodologies produced similar improvements in cadet fitness and occupational performance at a lower internal load.

Intestinal wall damage in simple ileus in rabbits: immune-modulator role of somatostatin.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aim to determine in which way the local immune system would be responsible for the structural changes in intestinal obstruction, and how these are influenced by Somatostatin, an intestinal peptide with immunomodulatory properties. Simple ileus causes a series of functional and anatomical changes, which have been related to the peptidergic neural system, and inflammatory mediators. These changes are reversible with the use of Somatostatin. METHODOLOGY: 27 rabbits divided into three groups, were subjected to the same procedure, in which a simple closed loop obstruction is caused by means of jejunum ligatures. The three groups are perfused with physiologic saline during 24 hours post-obstruction; one of them is perfused with Somatostatin from the time of intervention, and other after 8 hours. Samples of the intestinal wall are taken for histological analysis, and of the intraluminal liquid to determine the tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 2, interleukin 6, and serotonin. RESULTS: Both group treated with Somatostatin show a wall which is in good condition, while the untreated group showed lesions. These lesions are related to higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 2, while there were no changes in the levels of interleukin 6. CONCLUSIONS: The Somatostatin in perfusion shows a cytoprotective activity in the intestinal wall, and a blockage of the production of mediators of cellular immunity, while humoral immunity does not appear to be involved in these phenomena.