Aerobic fitness influences cardiac autonomic modulation in police officers regardless of specific duties.

Purpose: This study assesses whether the specific duties of a police officer or aerobic fitness influences blood pressure (BP) and cardiac autonomic modulation.

Method: Police officers (n = 161) were divided into administrative and operational (34.72 ± 5.98 vs. 33.95 ± 5.61 years old) groups, and subsequently divided into lower and higher aerobic fitness (35.49 ± 4.32 vs. 45.39 ± 13.10 mL·kg-1·min-1).

Results: Higher SBP (125 ± 10 vs. 121 ± 10 mmHg; P = 0.02) and aerobic fitness (42.10 ± 5.57 vs. 38.51 ± 6.67 mL·kg-1·min-1; P < 0.01) were observed in the operational group. On the other hand, lower obesity indicators and higher heart rate variability (HRV) indices (SD1: 26.67 ± 14.19 vs. 20.98 ± 9.12; SD2: 54.04 ± 19.81 vs. 47.32 ± 18.85; RMSSD: 36.50 ± 18.78 vs. 29.90 ± 12.51; SDNN: 42.80 ± 16.05 vs. 36.85 ± 14.23 ms; pNN50: 17.32 ± 17.54 vs. 10.60 ± 10.77 %) were observed in the higher aerobic fitness group (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: In summary, although the operational occupation had shown a negative influence on SBP, the HRV was not impaired in police officers. Additionally, aerobic fitness was related to differences in obesity indicators and HRV regardless of police duties. Our findings encourage the inclusion of BP and HRV measurements in routine health checks to screen for early hypertension and autonomic dysfunction.