Physical fitness and anthropometrical profile for the recruits of the elite close protection unit of the Portuguese public security police

The initial assessment of physical fitness (PF) is associated with daily duty tasks/performance, and health-indicators (risk of injury/illnesses) of police officers. This research aimed to characterize the demographic, sports practice, PF, and metabolic profile of Elite Portuguese Public Security Police recruits. This cross-sectional study included 32 participants (age 30.1 +/- 2.7 years old). The following data were collected: demographic, sports practice, PF (e.g. muscular resistance [pull/sit/push-ups], cardiorespiratory fitness [Cooper Test]), and metabolic measures (e.g. blood pressure [systolic/diastolic]). A robust PF and metabolic profile was observed: sit-ups 79.6 +/- 11.6 rep.; push-ups 65.4 +/- 17.3 rep.; VO2max prediction 49.6 +/- 4.7 ml/kg/min; Body Mass Index 23.5 +/- 2.1 kg/m2; fat mass 10.7 +/- 2.3%; systolic blood pressure 134.0 +/- 12.0 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure 74.6 +/- 12.5 mm Hg. Deeper knowledge on initial PF and its impact on health may be relevant for policing policy, allowing one to define assessment guidelines and implement regular training to optimize PF throughout police officers ' lives and careers, with potentially general health benefits.