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Tactical Strength and Conditioning

(50) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT CADET PERCEIVED RECOVERY METRICS AND ACADEMY PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

Thursday, July 11, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Exhibit Hall
Abstract Details:

Background: Law enforcement cadets are subjected to physically demanding training, high-stress simulations, and exposure to traumatic scenarios during an academy. Neglecting aspects of recovery can result in severe consequences to their mental, physical, and occupational readiness. Therefore, aim 1 of this investigation was to examine the inter-relationships between self-perceived recovery score (PRS) parameters; aim 2 was to assess the relationships between the aggregate PRS versus the change in health and performance outcomes throughout a law enforcement training academy.

Methods: 58 cadets (43 males, 15 females; Age: 26.2±6.4 yr) completed an online recovery survey each morning during the 11-week academy. Questions assessed perceived recovery via Likert scale (1=worst, 10=best) regarding Sleep quality, Soreness, Joint health, Hydration, Nutrition, Stress, Energy level, and Overall.  Health indicators (sleep duration, body mass, waist circumference, blood pressure) and performance tests (long jump, T-drill, push-ups, 500m row, 30:15 Intermittent Fitness Test) were conducted pre- and post-academy. Median scores for the 7 sub-recovery metrics were summed to create an aggregate PRS. The sample’s global median value was used in the analysis. Spearman’s correlations assessed relationships between recovery and relative and absolute change in health and performance variables. Significance was set to p< 0.05.

Results: The global median PRS was 47.5 (interquartile range: 42.4-52.1) which included median recovery metric scores of 7 (IQR: 6-8) for Sleep quality, 7 (IQR: 7-8) for Soreness, 8 (IQR: 7-9) for Joint health, 7 (IQR: 5-8) for Hydration, 7 (IQR: 5.75-8) for Stress, 7 (IQR: 5-8) for Energy level. Cadets indicated a median Overall academy score of 7 (IQR: 6-8).  Lesser soreness was associated with less joint discomfort (r=0.70, p< 0.001), greater energy levels (r=0.30, p< 0.05), and lower stress (r=0.53, p< 0.001). Better sleep quality was associated with greater perceived energy (r=0.85, p< 0.001), nutrition (r=0.65, p< 0.001), hydration (r=0.70, p< 0.001) and less stress (r=0.28, p< 0.05). PRS and individual recovery subscales were not correlated to health or performance changes (p>0.05). Cadets averaged 6.96±0.60 hr of sleep per night. A positive correlation was observed between hours of sleep and PRS (r=0.28, p< 0.05) and sleep quality (r=0.36, p< 0.01).

Conclusion: Although cadets perceived to have recovered adequately, they reported insufficient sleep duration (i.e., < 7 hours per night). Observed relationships between recovery metrics support the importance of adequate sleep. Future research to examine the acute impact of recovery strategies on occupational stress and performance in this population is warranted. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Law enforcement training academies are encouraged to educate law enforcement cadets on adequate health and recovery strategies during the academy.  Academies should monitor cadet recovery and implement feasible regeneration strategies to enhance health, safety, and performance during the academy and across the career.

Acknowledgements: None