NCJ Number
53441
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS FOR POLICE OFFICERS IS EMPHASIZED. WAYS IN WHICH OFFICERS CAN EVALUATE LIFESTYLES FOR FITNESS AND WAYS TO DEVELOP FITNESS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
PHYSICAL FITNESS IS VITAL TO EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. IN ADDITION TO THE FACT THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE MALADIES THAT THREATEN THE GENERAL POPULATION BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE EXERCISE, SITUATIONS MAY ARISE WHERE A LIFE DEPENDS ON THE FITNESS OF A RESPONDING OFFICER. GOOD PHYSICAL FITNESS IMPROVES PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING. IN THE AREA OF PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING, PROPER FITNESS HELPS THE OFFICER MAINTAIN PHYSICAL HEALTH AND ENERGY, AND ENABLES HIM TO INCREASE HIS STAMINA AND STRENGTH. ALSO THE OFFICER IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION IS LESS LIKELY TO CONTRACT DISEASE. IN THE AREA OF EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING, FITNESS CONTROLS EXCESSIVE STRESS AND PROMOTES EMOTIONAL STABILITY. INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING INCREASES MENTAL ALERTNESS AND LEARNING POTENTIAL AND IMPROVES PROBLEMSOLVING ABILITY. FOUR FACTORS OF A TOTAL PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM LISTED ARE REST, HYGIENE, DIET, AND EXERCISE. RELAXATION IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT AND HYGIENE IS BASICALLY A PROGRAM OF COMMON SENSE. SMOKING IS NOT RECOMMENDED, AND A BALANCED DIET AND CONTROL OF CALORIC INTAKE ARE EMPHASIZED. FOR EXERCISE, CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA OF THE PROGRAM, THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON SYSTEMATIC EXERCISE TO INCREASE FREQUENCY, DURATION, AND INTENSITY. EVALUATING ONE'S LIFESTYLE FOR FITNESS AND DEVELOPING A PROGRAM TO MAINTAIN FITNESS IS A FOUR STAGE PROCESS: (1) ASSESSING ONE'S LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS USING SELF-ASSESSMENT SKILLS; (2) DEVELOPING REALISTIC FITNESS GOALS USING GOAL-SETTING SKILLS; (3) DEVELOPING REST, HYGIENE, DIET, AND EXERCISE ROUTINES USING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARD-SETTING SKILLS; AND (4) IMPLEMENTING A TOTAL PROGRAM USING MOTIVATION AND FOLLOWUP SKILLS TO ENSURE PERSEVERANCE. TABLES AND DISCUSSION GUIDE ARE PROVIDED. (MLC)