Association between health-related fitness, perceived stress, and metabolic syndrome prevalence in a sample of law enforcement officers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between components of metabolic syndrome with health-related fitness (HRF) and perceived stress in a sample of law enforcement officers.

Design/methodology/approach

Law enforcement officers (N = 28) from the Mountain West region of the US reported their HRF scores (1.5 mile run, push-up, and sit-ups), had their blood drawn (glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) and had their waist circumference and blood pressure measured in a fasted state. Officers also completed a short questionnaire to assess health-enhancing physical activity (SQUASH) and both the Organizational and Operational Police Stress Questionnaires (PSQ-Org, PSQ-Op).

Findings

Linear regression models revealed a positive linear relationship between glucose levels and 1.5 mile run times (beta = 0.560, p = 0.021, R² = 0.24). A bivariate positive linear relationship between waist circumference and 1.5 mile run times was found to be significant (R² = 0.17, p = 0.041). For every minute increase in 1.5-mile run times, PSQ-Org scores significantly increased by 0.543 standard deviations (p = 0.022) with 25% of the variance explained (R² = 0.25). There were no statistically significant parameter estimates from the logistic regression equations when dependent variables were treated on the categorical measurement scale using recommended cut-points.

Research limitations/implications

In conclusion, those who performed better on the 1.5 mile run were more likely to have lower fasting glucose levels, experience less stress and have a smaller waist circumference.

Practical implications

Therefore, according to these findings, it is imperative for those in law enforcement to improve their cardiorespiratory endurance to minimize stress and reduce their risk of metabolic syndrome.

Originality/value

This research is novel according to a recent PubMed search using the keywords “law enforcement,” “Metabolic Syndrome” and “fitness testing.”

Citation

Chase, B., Brusseau, T., Burns, R., Hannon, J., Henderson, H. and Kehoe, B. (2021), "Association between health-related fitness, perceived stress, and metabolic syndrome prevalence in a sample of law enforcement officers", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 44 No. 2, pp. 261-274. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-04-2020-0058