Body Composition and Physical Performance Measures of a Special Operations Police Unit: Characteristics and Associations Between Determinant Factors of Physical Performance

Abstract

Purpose

Special tactical units differ from other police departments, for having more physically demanding tasks and occupations. Therefore, the aim was to analyze: (i) the differences in anthropometrics, body composition, and physical performance variables between those officers with the highest and lowest lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM); and (ii) the associations between body composition (i.e., FM and LM) and some selected performance variables.

Methods

Thirty-six special operations officers (n = 36, age: 35.97 ± 5.50 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were assessed for anthropometrics and body composition through skin-fold measures. Additionally, fitness was evaluated using appropriate physical tests (i.e. 30-m sprints, vertical jump, strength and endurance). Afterwards, participants were divided according to their level of LM and FM into: high (LM_high and FM_high) and low (LM_low and FM_low).

Results

Regarding strength and jump performance, LM_high and FM_low obtained better estimated values in Squat (1 repetition maximum [SQ_1RM]), and jump height (P < 0.05; ES = 0.62–1.29), although non-significant but small differences were observed for relative strength (P = 0.107; ES = 0.54). In terms of sprint and endurance, the results indicated that LM_high and FM_low obtained significantly better performances across all measures (P < 0.05; ES > 0.89), except for endurance between FM_high and FM_low (ES = 0.25–0.65). In addition, FM and LM were significantly associated with physical performance (P < 0.05; r > 0.383) in most of the variables of this study.

Conclusion

Higher LM and lower FM are determinant factors of physical performance in this population. Moreover, FM and LM seemed to be detrimental for physical performance as shown by the moderate to large correlations observed.