The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study
<b>Objective</b>: Exploring how body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics relate to physical performance may provide insights for optimising training outcomes. We explored if body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics were associated with tactical and cardiorespirato...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/132 |
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| author | Vanessa R. Sutton Myles C. Murphy Callum J. McCaskie Paola T. Chivers Nicolas H. Hart Jodie L. Cochrane Wilkie Garth Allen Jack Dalla Via |
| author_facet | Vanessa R. Sutton Myles C. Murphy Callum J. McCaskie Paola T. Chivers Nicolas H. Hart Jodie L. Cochrane Wilkie Garth Allen Jack Dalla Via |
| author_sort | Vanessa R. Sutton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Objective</b>: Exploring how body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics relate to physical performance may provide insights for optimising training outcomes. We explored if body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics were associated with tactical and cardiorespiratory performance. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study of police recruits within the Western Australia Police Force was performed. Total and regional body composition was assessed using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, with the tibial morphology and mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area assessed using peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography. Tactical performance was measured with a Physical Performance Evaluation, and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed using the Beep Test. Variables that were significant in univariate regressions progressed to generalised linear models, assessing relationships between measures and performance outcomes. <b>Results</b>: Twenty-seven recruits aged 21–51 years (40.7% female) participated. Better tactical performance was associated with lower body fat percentage (<i>p</i> < 0.001), lower body mass index (<i>p</i> < 0.001), higher appendicular muscle mass (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and a lower proximal (66%) tibia polar cross-section moment of inertia (<i>p</i> = 0.007). Better cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with lower body fat percentage (<i>p</i> = 0.004), higher appendicular lean mass (<i>p</i> = 0.006), a lower proximal (66%) tibia polar cross-section moment of inertia (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and a higher mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area (<i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: Various body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics are associated with tactical performance and cardiorespiratory fitness in WA police recruits. Lower body fat percentage and higher appendicular muscle mass were associated with both better cardiorespiratory fitness and tactical performance, highlighting the potential relevance of these characteristics in preparing police recruits for operational duties. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-807555b374b247c781901abcd6b58fa5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2411-5142 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-807555b374b247c781901abcd6b58fa52025-08-20T02:21:07ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-04-0110213210.3390/jfmk10020132The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional StudyVanessa R. Sutton0Myles C. Murphy1Callum J. McCaskie2Paola T. Chivers3Nicolas H. Hart4Jodie L. Cochrane Wilkie5Garth Allen6Jack Dalla Via7Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, AustraliaNutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, AustraliaExercise Medicine Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, AustraliaInstitute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, AustraliaInstitute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, AustraliaInstitute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, AustraliaWA Police Academy, Western Australia Police Force, Joondalup, WA 6027, AustraliaNutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia<b>Objective</b>: Exploring how body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics relate to physical performance may provide insights for optimising training outcomes. We explored if body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics were associated with tactical and cardiorespiratory performance. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study of police recruits within the Western Australia Police Force was performed. Total and regional body composition was assessed using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, with the tibial morphology and mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area assessed using peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography. Tactical performance was measured with a Physical Performance Evaluation, and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed using the Beep Test. Variables that were significant in univariate regressions progressed to generalised linear models, assessing relationships between measures and performance outcomes. <b>Results</b>: Twenty-seven recruits aged 21–51 years (40.7% female) participated. Better tactical performance was associated with lower body fat percentage (<i>p</i> < 0.001), lower body mass index (<i>p</i> < 0.001), higher appendicular muscle mass (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and a lower proximal (66%) tibia polar cross-section moment of inertia (<i>p</i> = 0.007). Better cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with lower body fat percentage (<i>p</i> = 0.004), higher appendicular lean mass (<i>p</i> = 0.006), a lower proximal (66%) tibia polar cross-section moment of inertia (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and a higher mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area (<i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: Various body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics are associated with tactical performance and cardiorespiratory fitness in WA police recruits. Lower body fat percentage and higher appendicular muscle mass were associated with both better cardiorespiratory fitness and tactical performance, highlighting the potential relevance of these characteristics in preparing police recruits for operational duties.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/132tacticallaw enforcementreadinessDXAPQCT |
| spellingShingle | Vanessa R. Sutton Myles C. Murphy Callum J. McCaskie Paola T. Chivers Nicolas H. Hart Jodie L. Cochrane Wilkie Garth Allen Jack Dalla Via The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology tactical law enforcement readiness DXA PQCT |
| title | The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full | The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_fullStr | The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_short | The Association of Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Characteristics with Police Recruit Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_sort | association of body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics with police recruit performance a cross sectional study |
| topic | tactical law enforcement readiness DXA PQCT |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/132 |
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