Abstract
In this study, we documented the value and importance of health and fitness of male and female security guards at an urban university in South Africa. We invited 84 participants to determine their health, selected fitness profiles and work readiness. We used four questionnaires, namely the physical activity readiness questionnaire, the medical history questionnaire, the lifestyle evaluation questionnaire, and the heart risk factor questionnaire. These questionnaires assisted with risk factor classification for the study cohort. Health and selected fitness parameters were also tested. Descriptive data were analysed using means and standard deviations for each variable. Comparisons between the male and female participants were made to find any statistically significant differences. A t-test was used to analyse the means between the gender groups. The correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationships between the variables. The results indicate that the female participants were less fit than the male participants; however, the fitness results were similar to the general population, which should be much higher as such occupations require higher levels of fitness. In this study, we provide recommendations for developing health and fitness protocols (for protection service personnel) in the field of health and fitness, and practical implications that can be utilised for both protective personnel and broader society.