Date of Award
12-22-2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Exercise Science, MS
First Advisor
Marla Graves
Committee Members
Brian Church; Jim Stillwell; Lance Bryant; Thomas Adams
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2010 G33
Abstract
The purposes of this study was to (1) determine health-related and job-related fitness scores of Jonesboro, AR polices officers and (2) determine self-reported psychological stress levels of these officers. The fitness tests included blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), vertical jump, Illinois agility test, one-repetition bench press maximum, curl-up test, push-up test, twelve-minute run and trunk flexion test. Psychological stress was evaluated using operational and organizational stress surveys that were designed for use with law enforcement personnel. The stress survey was completed by 44 officers and the fitness tests were completed by 36 officers. Mean scores, standard deviations, and frequency distribution for all data in male and females were determined. Participants in this study had a self-reported psychological stress level categorized as "moderate" according to scoring for both surveys with an operational survey mean of 3.48 (SD = 1.20), and the organizational survey mean score of 3.40 (SD = 1.18). Physical fitness and work-related mean fitness scores were found to be below average in the following areas: blood pressure, BMI, Illinois agility test, one-repetition maximum bench press, and the 12-minute run and above average for the tests: waist circumference, vertical jump, one-repetition maximum bench press, curl-up, push up, and trunk flexion. Increasing long term physical fitness and decreasing the effect of operational/organizational stressors on the job can improve job performance, satisfaction, and overall well being for these officers.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Gilbert, Elizabeth Ann, "The Physical and Psychological Stress of Police Officers" (2010). Student Theses and Dissertations. 967.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/967
