Exercise Therapy Study Reveals Relationships Between Physical Activity and Job-Specific Fitness in Law Enforcement Officers

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from California State University, published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, has shed light on the relationship between physical activity, general health and fitness, and job-specific fitness in law enforcement officers. The study found that strenuous physical activity sessions are associated with lower resting heart rate, waist-to-hip ratio, and better muscular endurance, while resistance training frequency is related to lower resting heart rate and better muscular endurance. However, general physical activity may not be sufficient for training job-specific fitness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Strenuous physical activity sessions are associated with lower resting heart rate, waist-to-hip ratio, and better muscular endurance.
  • Resistance training frequency is related to lower resting heart rate and better muscular endurance.
  • The top quartile of physical activity participants had a lower resting heart rate and performed more sit-ups than the bottom two quartiles.
  • General physical activity may not be sufficient for training job-specific fitness.
  • Job-specific fitness tests, such as an obstacle course, body drag, climbing tasks, and 500-yard run, did not show significant results for physical activity.
  • Strenuous physical activity is related to lower resting heart rate and waist-to-hip ratio, and better muscular endurance.
  • Resistance training frequency is related to lower resting heart rate and better muscular endurance.

Statistics:

  • 60 law enforcement officers participated in the study, with 48 men and 12 women.
  • The sample was quartile split using activity score and examined by univariate analyses.
  • The top quartile of physical activity participants had a lower resting heart rate (p 0.03) and performed more sit-ups than the bottom two quartiles.
  • Strenuous physical activity sessions were related to lower resting heart rate (r = -0.27 to -0.36), waist-to-hip ratio (r = -0.31 to -0.43), push-ups (r = 0.27 to 0.36), and sit-ups (r = 0.27 to 0.36).
  • Resistance training frequency was related to lower resting heart rate (r = -0.31 to -0.43), waist-to-hip ratio (r = -0.31 to -0.43), push-ups (r = 0.27 to 0.36), and sit-ups (r = 0.27 to 0.36).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Exercise Therapy Study Results from California State University Described (Relationships Between Physical Activity, General Health and Fitness, and Job-Specific Fitness in Law Enforcement Officers). Health & Medicine Week. September 19, 2025; p 2534.
  • Lockie, RG, Beitzel, MM, Alvarez, DA, Sanchez, KJ, Orr, RM, Dawes, JJ, and Dulla, JM. Relationships between physical activity, general health and fitness, and job-specific fitness in law enforcement officers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2025.
  • Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins - www.lww.com; Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/pages/default.aspx)