Jay Dawes

Bio: Jay Dawes is an academic researcher from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 8 citations. Previous affiliations of Jay Dawes include University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Associations between Fitness Measures and Change of Direction Speeds with and without Occupational Loads in Female Police Officers.

Abstract: Female police officers may be required to pursue offenders on foot while wearing occupational loads. The aim of this study was to determine relationships between fitness measures and change of direction speed (CODS) in female police officers and the influence of their occupational loads. Retrospective data were provided for 27 female police officers (age = 32.19 ± 5.09 y, height = 162.78 ± 5.01 cm, and mass = 71.31 ± 13.42 kg) and included fitness measures of: lower-body power (standing long jump (SLJ)), upper-body and trunk muscle endurance (push-up (PU) and sit-up (SU)), aerobic power (estimated VO2max), and CODS (Illinois agility test). The CODS test was performed without and with occupational load (10 kg). Paired sample t-tests (between-load conditions) and Pearson's correlations (relationships between measures) were performed with linear regression analysis used to account for the contribution of measures to unloaded and loaded CODS performance. CODS was significantly slower when loaded (unloaded = ~23.17 s, loaded = ~24.14 s, p < 0.001) with a strong, significant relationship between load conditions (r = 0.956, p < 0.001). Moderate to strong, significant relationships were found between all fitness measures ranging from estimated VO2max (r = -0.448) to SU (r = -0.673) in the unloaded condition, with the strength of these relationships increasing in the loaded condition accounting for 61% to 67% of the variance, respectively. While unloaded agility test performance was strongly associated with loaded performance, female police officer CODS was significantly reduced when carrying occupational loads. A variety of fitness measures that influence officer CODS performances become increasingly important when occupational loads are carried.

Association of sex-related differences in body composition to change of direction speed in police officers while carrying load

Abstract: Regardless of sex or body size, police tasks may require officers to change direction speed (CODS) under occupational loads. The purpose of this study was to investigate body composition and CODS in female and male police cadets in both unloaded and occupationally loaded conditions. Body composition and CODS of 51 female (FPC) and 70 male police cadets (MPC) were assessed. S ix body composition indices were used: Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), percent of skeletal muscle mass (PSMM), protein f at index (PFI), index of hypokinesia (IH), and skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI). The CODS was assessed by Illinois Agility Test (IAT) a nd IAT while carrying a 10-kg load (LIAT). An independent sample t-test was used to identify the differences between the sexes. The regressi on d termined associations between body composition and LIAT. The alpha level was set at p < 0.05 a priori. MPC had significantly higher (p < 0.001) BMI, PSMM, PFI and SMMI and lower PBF and IH than FPC. MPC were also faster in IAT and LIAT, carrying lower relative loads that impa rted less of an impact on CODS performance. Body composition was strongly associated with the time to complete LIAT (R2 = 0.671, p < 0.00 1). Difference in relative load and body composition influenced CODS performance in both unloaded and loaded conditions. Thus, opti mizing body composition through increasing skeletal muscle mass and reducing fat mass could positively influence unloaded and loaded CODS p erformance and improve elements of police task performance.

The Relationship Between Strength Measures and Task Performance in Specialist Tactical Police

Abstract: ABSTRACT Orr, RM, Robinson, J, Hasanki, K, Talaber, KA, Schram, B, and Roberts, A. The relationship between strength measures and task performance in specialist tactical police. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 757-762, 2022-Specialist tactical police officers (STPOs) carry heavier on-body loads than generalist police officers. Improvements in strength may mitigate the impacts of these heavier loads. The aim of this investigation was to determine the correlations between absolute and relative strength measures and occupational task performance in STPOs. Retrospective data were provided for 47 male specialist police officers from an elite Australian police unit. Data included body mass (mean = 89.0 ± 8.58 kg), strength measures (1 repetition maximum measures for a bench press, squat, deadlift, and pull-up), and task performance measures (85-kg victim drag wearing 15 kg of operational load and 5-km pack march wearing 40 kg of operational load). Pearson's correlations were conducted to determine relationships between measures and were plotted on a linear regressions model. Significant, moderate to strong correlations were found between all strength measures and victim drag performance and significant negative moderate correlations between relative bench press, absolute and relative squat, and absolute and relative pull-up and pack march times. The absolute deadlift had the strongest correlation to the victim drag (r = 0.747, p < 0.01) while the relative pull-up showed the strongest correlation with pack march performance (r = -0.466, p < 0.01). The requirement to lift a portion of the dummy off the ground during the victim drag may explain the increased importance of absolute strength while the requirement to transport load affixed to the body may explain the importance of relative strength requirements. Improvements in absolute and relative upper- and lower-body strength may improve task performance in this population.

Relationship Between Metabolic Fitness and Performance in Police Occupational Tasks

Abstract: To determine the relationship between metabolic fitness test scores and performance in police occupational tasks. Retrospective data from 106 law enforcement officers who completed two metabolic fitness assessments [anaerobic: a 20-m (10-m and 20-m splits) sprint, aerobic: 20 m Multi-Stage Fitness Test (20 m-MSFT)] and three routine occupational tasks [1.22 m Fence jump (FJ), 8.5 m Victim Drag (VD with 102.3 kg) and “Get-up” (GU)] were collected. A Person’s correlation coefficient and a standard multiple regression were used to assess the relationship between and predictive ability of, respectively, the fitness tests scores and performance on occupational tasks. There was a significant positive correlation between the 10-m sprint scores and FJ (r = 0.524, P < 0.001), VD (r = 0.528, P < 0.001) and GU (r = 0.486, P < 0.001). Similarly, the 20-m sprint scores were significantly and moderately correlated with FJ (r = 0.573, P < 0.001), VD (r = 0.603, P < 0.001) and GU (r = 0.533, P < 0.001). These anaerobic tests’ scores predicted approximately 40% of the performance in the occupational tasks analysed. The MSFT fitness assessment had a small, albeit significant negative correlation with the three tasks: FJ (r = − 0.360, P < 0.001), VD (r = − 0.266, P = 0.012) and GU (r = − 0.375, P < 0.001). High levels of metabolic fitness correlated with faster performance in police officer occupational tasks, particularly ones of an anaerobic nature (i.e. the maximal sprint tests). In addition to typical aerobic fitness conditioning, anaerobic fitness conditioning could be vital for optimal performance in physically demanding tasks required of police officer.

Relationships Between Absolute and Relative Strength and Power in Male Police Officers of Varying Strength Levels

Abstract: Strength and power are important traits for law enforcement officers, but the relationship between these measures has yet to be determined in a law enforcement population. Furthermore, the nature for these relationships between officers of varying strength is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between strength and measures of power and to determine whether stronger officers portrayed greater power. Retrospective data for 543 male (age = 39.07 ± 8.04 years; height = 180.02 ± 15.14 cm; body mass = 92.73 ± 16.37 kg) officers from one agency were provided. Measures included isometric leg/back dynamometer (LBD) strength, a counter movement jump (CMJ) and further determined measures of lower body power [estimated anaerobic power in watts (PAPw)] and power to body mass ration (P:BM). Following an analysis by cohort, subgroup quartiles were created based off LBD strength [absolute (LBDa) and relative (LBDr)]. The strongest quartile (Q1) performed significantly better in CMJ and PAPw than the other groups, but not in P:BM. Significant (P ≤ 0.001) low-to-moderate positive correlations were found between LBDa and CMJ height (r = 0.388), PAPw (r = 0.606) and P:BM (r = 0.272) and between LBDr and CMJ (r = 0.556), P:BM (r = 0.642) and PAPw (r = 0.149). Only LBDr was significantly related to all power measures across all sub groups. The development of relative lower body strength may best prepare officers for power assessments (such as vertical jump assessments) as well as for occupational tasks that require power.

Differences in Fitness between Firefighter Trainee Academy Classes and Normative Percentile Rankings

Abstract: Fire academy training classes may have trainees with a range of different fitness capabilities. Documentation of trainee fitness could indicate the need for flexibility in physical training emphases. Therefore, data from six academy classes (males = 274; females = 31) were analyzed, including: Illinois agility test (IAT), push-ups, pull-ups, leg tucks, multistage fitness test, backwards overhead 4.54 kg medicine ball throw (BOMBT), 10-repetition maximum deadlift, and 18 kg kettlebell farmers carry. A one-way ANOVA, with the Bonferroni post hoc test, calculated between-class fitness differences. Normative fitness test data were produced via percentile ranks. Classes 5 and 6 had the most females (n = 15). Class 1 completed the IAT faster than all classes (p ≤ 0.009). Classes 1 and 4 had a further BOMBT distance than Classes 5 and 6, and Class 3 outperformed Class 6 (p ≤ 0.044). Class 4 completed more leg tucks than Class 5 (p = 0.047). Class 1 had a greater deadlift than Classes 3, 4, and 6, and Class 2 outperformed Classes 3–6 (p ≤ 0.036). Class 3 was slower in the farmers carry compared to all classes (p ≤ 0.002). Percentile rankings showed that most females (48–100%) were in the 0–29% rank. Staff should implement individualized programs where appropriate for trainees as cohort fitness differences exist. Female trainees may need targeted maximal strength and power development.