Physical Activity, Occupational Stress, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Law Enforcement Officers

Abstract

Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the interrelationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), occupational stress, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in law enforcement officers (LEOs). Methods A total of 229 LEOs completed a survey assessing their LTPA level, occupational stress, and CVD risk factors. Results After adjusting for age and sex, physically inactive LEOs are more likely to have one or more CVD risk factors. While high occupational stress was associated with greater odds of CVD risk factors in physically inactive LEOs, stress was not significantly associated with the prevalence of CVD risk factors in active LEOs. Conclusions Our results suggest that occupational stress is associated with the prevalence of CVD risk factors in LEOs. Nevertheless, LTPA might have the potential to mitigate the impact of occupational stress on CVD risk factors.