Metabolic demands of law enforcement personal protective equipment during exercise tasks

Abstract

Many occupations require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) but the added metabolic demands are unknown for certain professions. The purpose of this study was to quantify metabolic and perceptual differences between activity with and without the PPE ensemble required for police officers. Twelve participants were asked to complete experimental and control exercise sessions consisting of three modes of exercise (walking, jogging and stepping). A significant main effect (p < 0.01) for gear was found for heart rate (beats per minute) and VO₂ (L/min) between conditions. Dependent t-tests revealed significant differences for perceived effort, discomfort and session rating of perceived exertion between trials. Medium to large effect sizes for all variables with significant main effects between modes (p < 0.01, η² = 0.51–0.96, 1–β = 0.98–1.0, d = 0.42–2.7) were observed. These findings help to increase awareness of how PPE affects metabolic demands and perception of discomfort during exercise.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: This study determined that the safety and protective equipment worn by police officers increases energy expenditure and adds a feeling of effort to exercise. Better design of equipment, use of fitness programmes or yearly assessments may help to alleviate some of this added stress.

Keywords::

• metabolic demand
• personal protective equipment
• work physiology
• law enforcement