FITNESS CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUBURBAN SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM

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FITNESS CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUBURBAN SPECIAL
WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM
RIANA R. PRYOR,1 DEANNA COLBURN,1,2 MATTHEW T. CRILL,3 DAVID P. HOSTLER,1 AND J SUYAMA1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Responder Human, Performance Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania; 2Center for Rehab Services, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and 3Ohio Health, Work Health, Columbus, Ohio
ABSTRACT
Pryor, RR, Colburn, D, Crill, MT, Hostler, DP, and Suyama, J.
Fitness characteristics of a suburban special weapons and
tactics team. J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 752–757, 2012—
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operators are special-
ized law enforcement officers who traditionally perform their
duties with higher anticipated workloads because of additional
body armor, weapons, and equipment used for enhanced
operations and protection. This elevated workload increases
the need for SWAT operators to improve or maintain their
physical fitness to consistently perform routine operations.
Typical tasks require trunk rotation, overhead upper extremity
use, upper and lower body strength use, and long waiting
periods followed by explosive movements while wearing
additional equipment. Eleven male SWAT operators from 1
SWAT team performed flexibility, strength, power, and aerobic
capacity tests and a variety of job-related tasks. Data were
compared with age- and gender-based normative data. Fitness
testing revealed that officers ranked high on tests of muscular
strength (leg strength, 90th percentile; bench press, 85th
percentile); however, body composition (55th percentile), core
body strength, and flexibility ranked lower. Furthermore, aerobic
capacity and muscular power had a wide range of scores and
were also not ideal to support maximal performance during
routine operations. These data can assist exercise specialists
choose fitness programs specifically for job-related tasks of
SWAT operators when creating fitness programs. Fitness
programming for law enforcement should focus on improving
aerobic fitness, flexibility, core strength, and muscular power
while maintaining muscular strength to meet the needs of these
specialized officers.
KEY WORDS law enforcement, police, exercise
INTRODUCTION
L
aw enforcement officers (LEOs) provide continu-
ous security and protection for the civilian
population in the United States. Special Weapons
and Tactics (SWAT) operators resolve unique
situations beyond the duties of regular LEOs such as hostage
rescue, clearing dangerous scenes, and diffusing riotous
situations and events involving snipers or terrorists (2,22).
Because of the increasing frequency of violent domestic
incidents and the constant threat to homeland security from
terroristic threats, SWAT teams are now found in smaller
communities and suburban areas, whereas previously these
teams were organized by large cities or jurisdictions. In these
suburban teams, SWAT operators are recruited from other
divisions (e.g., patrol, investigation) to be trained and
equipped to function as SWAT operators on an as-needed
basis or part time basis. The sporadic and inconsistent
activation of these suburban teams may not allow these
teams to achieve the same level of operational readiness as
evident in full time SWAT teams found in larger cities and
jurisdictions. Furthermore, the part time nature or these
teams may also lead to less control over the maintenance of
the physical fitness of their members, which is crucial for
SWAT team members to be effective in their expanded
duties.
Special Weapons and Tactics teams are responsible for
expanded duties that require additional body armor,
weapons, and equipment used to enhance bodily protection
from high risk encounters and to expand the scope of tactical
operations, which are required for the above-mentioned
circumstance. Although no objective measures of work exist
for SWAT operations, because of the additional tactics and
equipment, it can be assumed that SWAT teams perform at
higher workloads than those typically endured during routine
law enforcement operations. Although previous studies have
described the physical tasks encountered by correctional
officers in terms of fitness (11,12,22), until now, physical
fitness levels of SWAToperators have not been studied in the
context of performance requirements based upon routine
operational activities or job-related tasks. This elevated
physical and physiological stress increases the need for
SWAToperators to maintain a high level of physical fitness to
consistently perform their expanded operations.
Address correspondence to Dr. Joe Suyama, suyamaj@upmc.edu.
R.R. Pryor and D. Colburn have contributed equally to this work.
26(3)/752–757
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
� 2012 National Strength and Conditioning Association
752 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
the TM
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
To determine the ideal physical fitness requirements to
maintain optimal performance and to describe the current
level of fitness of a cohort of suburban SWAT operators, this
study identified job-related tasks and compared them with the
ideal and actual fitness characteristics required to optimally
perform these tasks. Special Weapons and Tactics operators
represent a unique group of LEOs that have very specific tasks
and equipment that may require the development of a SWAT
specific fitness prescription.
Comparison of the ideal fitness requirements to perform
job-related tasks with the current fitness status of an
operational suburban SWAT team will assist in determining
an ideal fitness prescription for optimal performance for these
part time SWAT operators.
METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem
This study determined physical fitness measures of suburban
SWAT operators. Job functions and equipment commonly
employed were studied at a regularly scheduled team training
in the summer by a physical therapist with experience in
public safety to determine the physical demands routine
operations place on the operator. Subsequently, measure-
ments of body composition, flexibility, muscular strength and
power, and aerobic capacity were made. Comparison of the
ideal fitness requirements based on operational tasks
compared with the measured fitness characteristics were
used to create a fitness prescription and training program to
ensure optimal performance and reduce the potential for
injury based upon objective findings.
Subjects
Eleven male SWAT operators from 1 suburban department
(100%) participated in this study. All the subjects read and
signed an informed consent approved by the University of
Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board before participation. At
the conclusion of the study, the subjects were provided
a personalized physical training program based on their test
results in lieu of monetary payment for participation.
Procedures
The SWAT operations were observed to determine the
physical and physiological stress endured during a routine
tactical entry. For the purposes of the study, the observed
operations were included and noted to differ from job-related
tasks of correctional officers (2) (Table 1).
Physical fitness testing of the officers included a wide range
of physiological measurements. The subjects reported to the
Emergency Responder Human Performance Laboratory to
perform a Bruce protocol treadmill test. Oxygen consumption
( _VO2) was measured using open circuit spirometry (Parvo-
medics Inc., Sandy, UT, USA), and a 12-lead Electrocardio-
gram was obtained every 3 minutesboth during exercise and
postexercise. A cardiologist interpreted the results of the test
to determine the eligibility to complete the testing protocol.
Body composition was assessed by measuring mass and
calculating percent body fat assessed with 3-site (chest,
abdomen, back) skinfold caliper measurements and the
Jackson-Pollack method (10).
Flexibility of the hamstrings and low back was assessed using
a sit and reach box (Flex Finder Flex-Tester, Novel Products,
Inc., Rockton, IL, USA). The range of motion of the knee and
ankle was determined with a goniometer and performed by
a single physical therapist who was experienced in these
procedures (8). Flexibility of the hip was determined based on
the distance stepped during a lunge test (5).
The best of 3 attempts for standing vertical jump measured
muscular power, whereas 1 repetition maximum testing of
bench press, shoulder press, and leg press measured extremity
muscular strength. Back extensor (core) strength was assessed
with the subjects lying prone with a platform beneath their
hips. The subjects held their back in an extended position with
their shoulders flexed and elbows extended for as long as
possible up to a maximum of 60 seconds (4).
TABLE 1. Description of physical tasks of SWAT operators.*
Operation Brief description
Donning and use
of tactical gear
Use of tactical gear is anticipated to add weight and apply
muscular stress to the core and extremities
Recon and securing
of perimeter
Activities in the external environment can lead to exposure
risks and require movement that places stress on the cardiovascular
system from sustained aerobic activity and upper extremity movements
Dynamic entry of structure Activities related to entry include short bursts of intense activity that
may be separated with periods of relative immobility
Man down drill Activities related to removing an injured operator require the operator to
carry or drag the injured operator for short and long distances while
limiting their exposure to hostile elements
*SWAT = special weapons and tactics.
VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 3 | MARCH 2012 | 753
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Statistical Analyses
Data were interpreted in a descriptive manner. Where
possible, the data were compared with normative data for
the general population and divided into categories based on
physical fitness.
RESULTS
Observed Special Weapons and Tactics Operations
The observed SWAT operations were determined to have
physical and physiological effects on the operators based on both
the nature of the SWATequipment and gear and the mechanics
of making a tactical entry into a structure. The protective
equipment worn in all the operations includes body armor with
ceramic plate and Kevlar helmet. When combined with the
officer’s side arm, a backpack containing various tools,
ammunition, supplies, and equipment belt, the initial load is
approximately 40 kg. This load is increased for officers carrying
the large 13.6-kg shield, the 15.9-kg battering ram, or a variety of
forcible entry and prying tools weighing up to 10 kg each.
Because the majority of this equipment is worn or carried on the
upper body, a considerable axial load is placed on the core
musculature and spinal column during operations.
Before making tactical entry of the structure, multiple
operations in the perimeter leading up to building entry required
the SWAT operators to work with the arms elevated over the
head or away from the body (e.g., extending poles with cameras
and mirrors mounted on the end) and throw gas canisters and
flash-bang grenades while wearing body armor. These activities
predominantly required extrem-
ity strength and a high level of
cardiovascular fitness.
Dynamic entry into a structure
required the SWAT operators to
move through hallways or stair-
wells in formation carrying
a shield on 1 arm while carrying
a firearm on the opposite arm.
Both place the upper extremities
in an adducted position with the
biceps brachii muscles in an
isometric contraction. These
maneuvers almost always re-
quired rotating movements of
the trunk and were often pre-
ceded by periods of no move-
ment followed by an explosive
movement when the maneuver
began. These maneuvers relied
heavily on an operator’s power,
extremity strength, aerobic fit-
ness, and flexibility.
Finally, SWAT operations re-
quiring victim rescue or re-
trieval of a downed operator
required the officer to place a sling about the victim’s knees
and shoulders and placed the officer in a forward flexed
position to be able to drag the victim while receiving cover
from the shields of proximate operators. This operation also
focused on an operator’s flexibility and extremity strength.
Physical Fitness Tests
On analysis of body mass index, it was concluded that 9 of the
11 subjects (82%) were overweight or obese. However, on
body fat analysis it was found that the men averaged 18.0 6
3.0 percent body fat, which rates them in the 55th percentile
TABLE 2. Measures of physical fitness.*
Measure Mean (SD)
Demographics Age (y) 36.5 (6.3)
Height (cm) 177.8 (6.1)
Weight (kg) 85.8 (9.5)
Body composition Body mass index (kg�m22 ) 27.1 (2.5)
Body fat (%) 18.0 (3.0)
Aerobic capacity _VO2max (ml�kg21�min21 ) 45.3 (6.1)
Strength Leg press (kg) 243.4 (32.7)
Bench press (kg) 105.6 (16.2)
Shoulder press (kg) 68.2 (11.6)
Back extensor hold (s) 49.3 (13.9)
Power Vertical jump (cm) 41.8 (5.3)
Flexibility Sit and reach (cm) 75.0 (23.9)
Right lunge (cm) 145.6 (11.0)
Left lunge (cm) 148.7 (9.1)
Right hip extension (�) 20.5 (21.4)
Left hip extension (�) 21.4 (6.6)
Right ankle dorsiflexion (�) 13.0 (12.4)
Left ankle dorsiflexion (�) 12.4 (3.3)
Right ankle plantarflexion (�) 64.8 (6.3)
Left ankle plantarflexion (�) 64.2 (8.2)
*Values are given as mean (SD).
Figure 1. Physical fitness of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
operators as compared with gender- and age-based normative data.
754 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
the TM
Fitness of SWAT Team
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among the average population (Table 2). _VO2max averaged
45.2 6 6.1 ml�kg21�min21, which when classified using age
categories placed the men in the 60th percentile compared
with the average population.
The assessment of power revealed that the vertical jump
height averaged 41.79 6 5.28 cm; 6 of the 11 subjects (55%)
reached the 50th percentile for age.
For extremity strength, all the 11 subjects ranked over the
90th percentile for leg press strength (243.39 6 32.6 kg),
whereas they averaged in the 85th percentile for bench press
(105.59 6 16.15 kg) (Figure 1). The mean shoulder press
strength was 68.18 6 11.59 kg.
When assessing core strength, only 5 of the 10 subjects
completed the back strength test in its entirety (60 seconds)
with an average of 49.3 6 13.94 seconds.
Flexibility ranged from poor to excellent with 6 of the 11
subjects (55%) rated as good or excellent for their age group in
the sit and reach (74.99 6 23.87 cm). The lunge test produced
an average of 145.59 6 11.03 and 148.71 6 9.13 cm for the
right and left legs, respectively. Hip extension averaged
20.45 6 5.47� and 21.36 6 6.55� for the right and left hips,
respectively. Ankle dorsiflexion averaged 13.00 6 4.98� and
12.36 6 3.29� for the right and left ankles, respectively,
whereas plantarflexion averaged 64.82 6 6.31� and 64.18 6
8.16� for the right and left ankles, respectively.
DISCUSSION
We have reported a task analysis and fitness profile for a suburban
SWAT team. Observations from a typical SWAT team training
day revealed trunk rotation, overhead upper extremity use,
isometric upper extremity actions for firearm and shield use,
explosive movements in formation, kneeling, and long waiting
periods while wearing equipment were common and placed
significantphysical demands on the officers. To perform these
job-related tasks, SWAT operators required a blend of aerobic
fitness, extremity strength, core strength, flexibility, and muscular
power (Table 3). An ideal fitness profile of high aerobic capacity,
core strength, muscular power, and flexibility was not achieved
by any single SWAToperator in this study. No single element of
this physical fitness profile seemed to be paramount to ideal
performance of the job-related tasks. Certain tasks, however, did
emphasize that certain elements of the profile and high aerobic
capacity appeared to support ideal performance for all job-
related tasks studied.
Fitness testing for this group revealed that all the officers
ranked high in muscular strength and that most were above
average in terms of body composition. Physical strength was
excellent with the exception of core body strength. The SWAT
operators in this study could only hold the prone arm and leg
extension position for 49 seconds, which was superior to the
performance of a cohort of prehospital providers but well short
of the 1-minute standard for this test (4,14). Limited core body
strength places the lumbar spine at a risk for sustaining injury
and causes the extremities to move less efficiently thereby
increasing the risk of sustaining lumbar facet injuries, de-
generative joint changes, and disc herniation (16).
Considerable variation was noted for aerobic fitness,
flexibility, and muscular power. Although little has been
presented in the literature regarding the operational effects of
health and fitness in LEOs, the prevalence of cardiovascular
TABLE 3. Comparison of observed tasks to SWAT operator physical fitness.*
Task
Required physical
fitness elements
Actual physical
fitness elements
Fitness prescription
elements
Donning and operating
in SWAT gear
Aerobic fitness 1. Moderate/inconsistent
aerobic fitness
1. Core strength
improvement
Core strength 2. Selective aerobic
fitness improvement
Operations within the
perimeter and approach
Aerobic fitness 1. Moderate/inconsistent
aerobic fitness
1. Selective aerobic
fitness improvement
Extremity strength 2. Good extremity strength
Tactical entry
and maneuvers
Aerobic fitness 1. Moderate/inconsistent
aerobic fitness
1. Power improvement
Power 2. Fair power 2. Selective flexibility
improvement
Flexibility 3. Inconsistent flexibility 3. Selective aerobic
fitness improvement
Man down drill Aerobic fitness 1. Moderate/inconsistent
aerobic fitness
1. Selective flexibility
improvement
Flexibility 2. Inconsistent flexibility 2. Selective aerobic
fitness improvement
Extremity strength 3. Good extremity strength
*SWAT = special weapons and tactics.
VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 3 | MARCH 2012 | 755
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disease risk factors is well documented among this population
(6,13,23). It is suspected LEOs have a greater risk of
developing cardiovascular disease than the general population
does because of the sedentary nature of the job (19) and high
mental stress related to the occupation (3,13). The higher than
anticipated burden of cardiovascular risk among LEOs may
indicate that physical fitness level may not meet the
operational requirements of certain groups of LEOs (6,17).
Among SWAToperators, the need for high levels of fitness
is obvious given that these officers will be called to respond to
armed suspects in situations wherein physical conflict is likely.
Our study focuses on very specific scenarios without
introducing the full range of tactical situations that may be
encountered by SWAT teams. These specific job-related tasks
were chosen because of the likelihood of occurrence in our
particular part time suburban SWAT team. Although SWAT
officers are uniquely trained to perform these tasks, many of
the job-related tasks are similar to those of other LEOs that
perform similar tasks in the line of duty, and these findings
may cross over into those of other law enforcement groups
that engage in similar situations.
Two previous studies have found that the fitness of SWAT
operator and non-SWAT LEOs was comparable with that of
the general population with regard to muscular strength,
power, aerobic capacity, and body composition (2,18).
However, this level of performance is arguably inadequate
given the increased physical nature of the occupation and
communities’ safety dependence on the fitness levels of these
officers. Although the SWAT operators in this study were
required to complete a 12-minute, 2.4-km run every 6 months
to remain active, the aerobic capacity in many of the officers
was poor, and few reported regular aerobic training. Although
no ideal aerobic capacity has been determined for SWAT
operators, a previous study recommended a minimum _VO2max
of 45 ml�kg21�min21 for firefighters (7). Further analysis is
necessary to recommend a minimum _VO2max for tactical
operators but is unlikely to be lower than what is
recommended for firefighters because of their anticipated
job tasks while using gear in unpredictable environments.
Sit and reach measurements and ankle plantarflexion range of
motion were both well above the reported normative values. Sit
and reach measurements are highly correlated to hamstring
flexibility (1). Based on previously published data, these SWAT
operators appear to have more than enough hamstring flexibility
to safely perform all tasks related to their occupational demands.
Adequate ankle plantarflexion is necessary to store elastic energy
in the Achilles tendon to produce greater power for explosive
movements of SWAT operators (9).
Hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion were less than reported
normative values. Lack of hip extension range of motion has
been demonstrated in subjects with a history of low back pain
(15). Additionally, previous studies have demonstrated a lack
of dorsiflexion range of motion being related to injury risk
during landings (21). Lack of hip extension, ankle dorsiflexion,
coupled with the aforementioned below average core strength,
may predispose these SWAT operators to an increased risk of
sustaining injury to the spine or lower extremities (20).
The anterior (forward) lunge is a well-documented exercise
to test lower extremity strength and is more consistent with
normal proprioceptive input required of a SWAT operator in
his or her occupational tasks (5). There are little normative
data for comparison specific to the lunge distances recorded
in this study. However, the SWAT operators lunge distances
compare favorably with a previously reported study looking
at healthy college-aged students (5). These SWAT operators
had good hip, knee, and ankle strength to perform their work
tasks because their measurements compare favorably with
those of their younger, healthier counterparts.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Exercise prescription for SWAToperators is necessary to develop
overall fitness to ensure job performance. Specifically, aerobic
capacity, leg power, and flexibility should be the main focuses for
improvement and maintain the highest level of operation. To
counteract this potential for injury, exercise specialists should
focus on strength training of the trunk musculature while
maintaining arm and leg strength. As observed during training,
the armor and equipment worn during special tasks is
burdensome, placing additional stress on the spinal column
and core musculature. If we accept that poor core strength and
hip flexibility contribute to back injuries, then a strength program
addressing the core and extremities in a tri-plane fashion is
required as a supplement to typical multijoint resistance training
to prevent occupational injuries. Additionally, programs for
SWAToperators should emphasize the need for regular aerobic
conditioning and the development of improved flexibility.
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