Abstract
M.Phil. (Biokinetics)
Despite the increasing demand for emergency responders, such as police officers,
protection service personnel and firefighters in South Africa, we still seem to lag behind
in addressing crucial issues relating to their occupational health and their ability to
perform optimally.
This study aimed at highlighting the value and importance of health, wellness and
fitness in relation to the occupation of protection service personnel. Participants
(n=84) were invited to partake in this study to determine health and selected fitness
profiles as well as to determine work readiness of protection service personnel.
Four questionnaires were administered including the Physical Activity Readiness
Questionnaire (Taylor and Johnson, 2008), the Medical History Questionnaire
(Heyward and Gibson, 2014), the Lifestyle Evaluation Questionnaire (Heyward and
Gibson, 2014) and the Heart Risk Factor Questionnaire (Stone, 1984). These
questionnaires assisted with risk factor classification for the study cohort. Health,
wellness and selected fitness parameters were tested. Descriptive data was analysed
using a statistical computer programme (SPSS, version 25). Means and standard
deviations were computed for each variable. The level of significance was set at 5%
(p ≤ 0.05). The Correlation co-efficient was used in order to determine correlating
factors in the study for the total population and the gender groups. The t-test was used
to analyse means between the gender groups.
Comparing the male and female participants in this study, significant statistical
differences were found in weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, aerobic and
anaerobic capacity, handgrip strength as well as sit-ups in one-minute. There were
also a number of correlations between these variables.
This study concludes that both males and females are not fit for duty. However, the
males do score better than females.