Abstract

ESTEVES, J.V.D. C. et al. Characterization of the physical condition and cardiovascular risk of highway police officers. Rev Andal Med Deporte [online]. 2014, vol.7, n.2, pp.66-71. ISSN 2172-5063.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the physical fitness, body composition and blood pressure of highway police officers in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Method: The sample consisted of 52 male (38.3 ± 6.3 years old, 89.6 ± 18.4 kg) where the following determinations were performed: body mass index (BMI); waist circumference (WC); waist/hip ratio (WHR); body composition (skinfold thickness); aerobic power (indirectly estimated in a treadmill test); muscle strength of the upper limbs was measured by the number of push-ups and abdominal strength by the number of crunches (ES) and blood pressure (measured by auscultatory method). Results: The highway police officers had a BMI classified as mild obesity (28.6 ± 4.8 kg/m²), and a higher cardiovascular risk as determined by WC (95.4 ± 10.8 cm) and WHR (0.92 ± 0.05). The percentage of body fat was above the recommended values (23.6 ± 4.3 %) but the aerobic power was considered good (34.8 ± 1.1 ml/kg/min). Mean ES upper body (21 ± 8 repetitions) and abdomen (28 ± 8 repetitions) were qualified as fair but mean blood pressure was considered high in 23 % of the police officers. Conclusion: Based on our results it was possible to conclude that although the police officers presented good levels of aerobic power and muscle strength, they are overweight and showed a higher cardiovascular risk.

Keywords : Highway police; Physical fitness; Body composition; Cardiovascular risk.

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