Profiling paramedic job tasks, injuries, and physical fitness: A scoping review.

Introduction: The aim of this review was to identify, collect, appraise, and synthesise research profiling paramedic job tasks, injuries sustained, and current fitness levels, to guide optimal workplace performance and enhance injury mitigation efforts.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Scoping Reviews, four databases (PubMed, SPORTdiscus, CINAHL, and Embase) were searched using key search terms (derivatives of 'paramedic' and 'injury', 'physical fitness' and 'tasks'). Identified records were screened against eligibility criteria with remaining studies critically appraised.

Profiling the Occupational Injuries Sustained by Custody Officers: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Custody officers (CO) are often exposed to workplace hazards when monitoring prisoners, managing prisoners' recreational time, or searching for contraband, yet research into their injuries is limited. This review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise research investigating injuries in CO.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and registration with the Open Science Framework, a systematic search of five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, CINAHL and SportDiscus) using key search terms was conducted.

The Use of Musculoskeletal Fitness Measures as Indicators of Performance in Police Occupational Tasks.

Fitness testing is employed by some law enforcement agencies to assure performance in occupational tasks. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between musculoskeletal fitness assessment scores and performance in police occupational tasks. Retrospective data from 106 law enforcement officers who completed five musculoskeletal fitness assessments (vertical jump (VJ), hand grip strength, leg back dynamometer, 1-minute push-ups and sit-ups) and three routine occupational tasks (1.

Determining the Changes in Law Enforcement Recruit Aerobic Fitness Using the 2.4-km Run and 20-m Multistage Fitness Test. Does the Type of Test Matter?

Campbell, P, Maupin, D, Lockie, RG, Dawes, JJ, Simas, V, Canetti, E, Schram, B, and Orr, R. Determining the changes in law enforcement recruit aerobic fitness using the 2.4-km run and 20-m multistage fitness test.

A profile of two different applicant test batteries with regards to sex and age in successful law enforcement applicants.

Background: Law enforcement (LE) applicant assessments and initial academy training vary greatly across the United States of America (USA), with 820+ academies operating across 50 different states. Rising obesity and declining physical fitness underscore the need for benchmarks of applicant physical performance.

Objective: Create a "point-in-time" descriptive profile of the performance of LE applicants and determine any differences between males, females, and age using two applicant test batteries (ATBs).

A profile of occupational tasks performed by mounted police officers.

Background: Within individual policing organisations, there are a wide variety of units and job roles.

Objective: To profile the occupational tasks performed by Australian mounted police officers, aiming to offer conditioning insight into this unique job role.

Methods: Thirteen fully qualified and operational mounted police officers (n = 11 females), who served in the mounted police unit for ∼3.

Occupation-Induced Fatigue and Impacts on Emergency First Responders: A Systematic Review.

Fatigue in emergency first responders (EFRs) is known to affect performance abilities and safety outcomes for both patients and EFRs. The primary aim of this review was to determine the main contributors to occupation-induced fatigue in EFRs and its subsequent impacts. Following the PRIMSA checklist, academic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus) were searched using key terms with results subjected to inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Heart Rate Variability Assessment of Land Navigation and Load Carriage Activities in Specialist Police Selection.

Police tactical group (PTG) personnel are exposed to physical, mental, and emotional stressors. Consequently, PTG selection courses (SCs) impart similar challenges, often resulting in candidate attrition. Holistic assessment may provide additional support to stakeholders given these risks.

An Examination of Subjective and Objective Measures of Stress in Tactical Populations: A Scoping Review.

Persons working in tactical occupations are often exposed to high-stress situations. If this stress is to be measured, an understanding of the stress outcomes used in these occupations is needed. The aim of this review was to capture and critically appraise research investigating subjective and objective outcome measures of physiological stress in tactical occupations.

Identifying the most important, frequent, and physically demanding tasks of Brazilian firefighters.

This study aimed to identify the most important, frequently performed, and physically demanding tasks performed by Brazilian firefighters and to identify tasks that could be used to assess physical fitness. A subjective task analysis was conducted. Five hundred twenty-four firefighters (84% male; 16% females) responded to an online survey and rated 37 tasks across three domains (most important, most frequent, and most physically demanding).

Virtual reality-based interventions for the rehabilitation of vestibular and balance impairments post-concussion: a scoping review.

Background: Concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries are the most common causes of physical and cognitive disability worldwide. Concussion can result in post-injury vestibular and balance impairments that can present up to five years post initial concussion event, ultimately affecting many daily and functional activities. While current clinical treatment aims to reduce symptoms, the developing use of technology in everyday life has seen the emergence of virtual reality.

Evaluating the Variability Between 20-m Multistage Fitness Test Estimating Equations in Law Enforcement Recruits.

Campbell, P, Maupin, D, Lockie, RG, Dawes, JJ, Simas, V, Canetti, E, Schram, B, and Orr, R. Evaluating the variability between 20-m multistage fitness test estimating equations in law enforcement recruits. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 742-748, 2024-The 20-m multistage fitness test (20MSFT) is commonly used by law enforcement agencies to measure aerobic fitness and to estimate maximal aerobic consumption (V̇ o2 max).

Factors Influencing Marksmanship in Police Officers: A Narrative Review.

Law enforcement officers routinely face unpredictable scenarios that may threaten the public, their colleagues, or themselves. In such situations, officers may be required to use firearms, with shooting accuracy becoming crucial. This literature review aimed to identify, synthesize, and report on research investigating factors that affect marksmanship in law enforcement personnel.

Profiling the Typical Training Load of a Law Enforcement Recruit Class.

Law enforcement academies, designed to prepare recruits for their prospective career, represent periods of high physical and mental stress, potentially contributing to recruits' injuries. Managing stress via monitoring training loads may mitigate injuries while ensuring adequate preparation. However, it is vital to first understand an academy's typical training load.

The Effects of Early Physiotherapy Treatment on Musculoskeletal Injury Outcomes in Military Personnel: A Narrative Review.

The risks and incidence rates of musculoskeletal injuries among military personnel are high, and the importance of physiotherapy in treating these injuries is well established. However, what is less clear is whether the timing of commencement of physiotherapy treatment affects musculoskeletal injury outcomes in military personnel. This lack of clarity is exacerbated by the known underreporting of injuries among military personnel, and the resulting self-management of musculoskeletal injuries using analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and other means.

The Impact of Footwear on Occupational Task Performance and Musculoskeletal Injury Risk: A Scoping Review to Inform Tactical Footwear.

The aim of this scoping review was to investigate the impact of footwear on worker physical task performance and injury risk. The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews protocol and registered in the Open Science Framework. Key search terms were entered into five academic databases.

Injury rates in female and male military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: An effective military force is required to be agile, capable, efficient, and potent. Injuries to military personnel interrupt active-duty service and can detract from overall capability. These injuries are associated with a high individual and organizational burden, with lost work time and financial costs-all problematic for the ongoing functioning of a military force.

Profiling the injuries of law enforcement recruits during academy training: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Injuries within law enforcement are a significant issue as they increase organisational costs and workforce strain. As one of the biggest risk factors of future injury is previous injury, minimising injuries suffered during academy has multiple beneficial and long-term effects, including a healthier and fitter police force. The purpose of this study was to profile the injuries sustained at a law enforcement academy to inform future injury mitigation strategies.

Risk factors for injuries in female soldiers: a systematic review.

Background: Female soldiers form an integral part of any modern defence force. Previous reports have highlighted that female soldiers report injuries at higher rates than male personnel. One possible reason for this is an actual difference in underlying injury rates, purported to be due to several factors, including levels of fitness.