Impactos do uso de equipamentos de proteção pessoal sobre parâmetros fisiológicos e motores de policiais rodoviários federais

Abstract

The essence of police work is characterized by thorough critical activities as well as occupational situations that require high physical fitness, such as running, jumping, pulling, pushing and carrying. Personal protective equipment (PPE) are mandatory devices for the performance of the police tactical profession, which, due to physical overload, can generate changes in physiological demands and performance. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze and compare the differences in the physiological, perceptual and performance responses in the maximum progressive exercise in treadmill and in motor (Part I) and operational tasks (Part II), between using (WPPE) or not (WOPPE) using PPE loaded by federal highway police (FHP). The study is characterized as experimental, with repeated measures. In Part I, on separate days, 19 male FHP from Pelotas-RS performed a WOPPE and WPPE (8.3 kg) motor test battery in a randomized cross-order. Motor fitness was measured from aerobic and anaerobic power tests, strength, power and muscular strength, and agility. Physiological analyses (maximum heart rate - HRmax and its variability - HRV, respiratory exchange rate - RTR, maximum oxygen consumption - 𝑉�������������� ̇ O2max, O2 pulse, blood lactate concentration - [Lac]) and perceptual effort (PE) in the maximum progressive test - MPT. Analyses revealed a reduction in HRmax, in the ventilatory threshold (1.4%) and maximal exercise (1.5%), as well as 𝑉�������������� ̇ O2max, normalized to the total mass transported (7.4%) in the WPPE condition. In addition, physical performance was reduced in the WPPE condition by: reduction in the time of MPT up to the ventilatory threshold (24.5%) and maximal exercise tolerance (21%); reduction of the time in trunk isometry (28.9%) and isometry in the fixed bar (14.8%); reduction in heights of vertical jumps (11.6% and 10.5%) and horizontal jump distance (7.3%) and an increase in agility test time (2.6%). In Part II, in two separate sessions, WOPPE (5.2 kg) and WPPE (12 kg), in counterbalanced random order, 13 PRF men completed an occupational physical fitness test (OPFT) composed of seven police occupational tasks. Metabolic responses (HRmax, HRV, [Lac]), perceptual (PE) and performance (total time and for each task) were measured. When loaded, FHP showed a decrease in performance, with mean increase in OPFT completion time (6.4%) compared to the WOPPE session (125.9 ± 13.8 s vs. 118.3 ± 11 s, p<0, 01). The [Lac] after the OPFT was higher in the WOPPE condition compared to the WPPE (respectively, 11.7 ± 2.7 mmol/L vs. 9.6 ± 1.5 mmol/L, p<0.05). Therefore, PPE used by FHP reduce the physical performance of police officers in cardiorespiratory, strength, power, agility tests and in a specific occupational circuit. Based on the results found, police institutions should consider the effects of PPE on the physical and operational capacities of their agents in their physical assessments in order to balance protection with the performance of the service provided to society.