Graduation Term

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Committee Chair

Marcel Lopes dos Santos

Committee Member

Samantha McDonald

Committee Member

Michael R. Torry

Abstract

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) perform physically demanding tasks such as foot pursuits, lifting, carrying, dragging, and physical restraint. Effectively performing these duties requires significant muscular strength, endurance, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Lower fitness levels pose risks for reduced health, performance, slower recovery, increased fatigue, and potentially affecting decision-making under strenuous conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the strongest predictor of physical fitness performance among active-duty LEOs. Body composition analysis and a comprehensive fitness evaluation of twenty-nine male LEOs (age: 36.2 ± 9.3 years, body mass (BM): 95 ± 13.7 kg, height: 1.8 ± 0.1 m) was completed. The evaluation included: a VO2max treadmill test, countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-10-5 pro-agility shuttle run, 1-minute hand-release push-ups, 1-minute sit-ups and body composition via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multiple linear regressions models were used to calculate the relation between body composition variables and performance metrics. Whole-body fat mass was found to be the greatest predictor of physical fitness. After adjusting for lean mass, significant relationships were found between fat mass and performance variables including: CMJ (∆R2=.316, p=.001), agility (∆R2=.430, p=< .001, pushups (∆R2=.289, p=.001), sit-ups (∆R2=.369, p=< .001), and VO2max (∆R2=.594, p=< .001). However, right- (∆R2=.045, p=.164), and left- (∆R2= .059, p=.069), handgrip strength had no significant relation with fat mass. Reducing fat mass and maintaining a healthy body composition benefits not only physical fitness but could enhance occupational performance in active-duty LEOs. Job efficiency could improve by limiting sick leave, injury rate, and health-related drawbacks.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

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