Persistent Disability From Preacademy Injuries Impairs Physical Performance in Police Force Recruits: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between injury history and persistent disability with cardiorespiratory fitness and workplace-specific functional capacity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. METHODS: Western Australia Police Force recruits were invited to participate between January and October 2022. Participants completed an online survey recording demographics, injured body regions in past 12 months, and persistent injury-related disability. Physical performance was assessed immediately prior to academy training via beep test and policing-specific physical performance evaluation (PPE). Generalized linear models were used to statistically evaluate relationships between the data. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one recruits had complete physical performance data available and completed our survey (response rate = 58%). Almost half of participants reported at least 1 injury within 12 months prior to academy commencement. Of those, persistent disability ranged from 0% to 40% (mean [standard deviation] disability composite, 3.17% [6.48%]). Persistent disability was significantly related to PPE ( β = 12.3, P<.001). No significant relationships were detected between persistent disability and beep test ( β = −.03, P =.187), injury history and beep test ( β = −.13, P = .177), or PPE ( β = 2.70, P = .192). CONCLUSION: Persistent injury-related disability was a barrier to full occupation-specific performance and was significantly associated with poorer police-specific performance metrics. Identifying the prevalence of persistent disability in recruits prior to commencement and delivering interventions that would minimize disability may improve recruit occupational performance. JOSPT Open 2024;2(2):141-147. Epub 19 March 2024. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2024.1025