-
The perceived effects and comfort of various body armour systems on police officers while performing occupational tasks
-
B. Schram, B. Hinton, R. Orr, R. Pope, G. Norris
-
Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:15. Published online February 28, 2018
-
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0228-x
-
-
Abstract
PDFPubReaderePub
- Background
The nature of police work often necessitates use of Individual Light Armour Vests (ILAVs) for officer protection. Previous research has demonstrated various biomechanical and physical performance impacts of ILAVs, however, little knowledge exists on the individual officer’s perceptions of ILAV. The aim of this study was to investigate officers’ perceptions of the impacts of three different ILAVs and normal station wear whilst performing police occupational tasks. MethodsA prospective, within subjects, repeated measures design was employed in which 11 serving police officers wore each of three different types of body armour (ILAV A, ILAV B or ILAV C) and normal station wear for a full day while performing tasks including a simulated victim drag, a patrol vehicle exit and a marksmanship shoot. Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; − 10 to + 10) were used to examine officer perceptions of each ILAV. Finally, officers were asked to indicate areas of both discomfort and comfort of each ILAV on a mannequin chart. ResultsOfficers perceived less effort was required for the victim drag whilst wearing ILAV B (RPE = 3.6/10) when compared to ILAV A, ILAV C and even station wear (RPE = 4.7/10, 4.0/10, 3.8/10, respectively). A positive impact on performance was perceived for ILAV B (VAS = + 0.26) when performing a patrol vehicle exit and sprint task but not for the other two ILAVs (VAS = − 3.58, − 0.55, − 0.85, respectively). Officers perceived a positive impact of ILAV B (VAS = + 2.7) and station wear (VAS = + 1.4) and a negative impact of ILAVs A and C (VAS = − 2.1, − 1.7 respectively) on marksmanship. Despite all armour types being criticized for discomfort, ILAV B received lower ratings of discomfort overall, and some positive comments regarding both comfort and performance. ConclusionsOfficers perceived ILAV B to have positive effects on task performance. It was also rated more comfortable than the other two, possibly due to a longer torso design which shifted load from the shoulders to the hips and pelvis. Officer perceptions of comfort and effects on occupational performance should be considered when designing and procuring armour systems. Although ILAVs may be similar, perceived impacts may vary between officers.
-
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- The comfort and functional performance of personal protective equipment for police officers: a systematic scoping review
Sean Hudson, Leanne Ridland, Joanna Blackburn, Leanne Monchuk, Karen Ousey Ergonomics.2024; : 1. CrossRef - Effects of load carriage on measures of postural sway in healthy, young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Joel Martin, James Kearney, Sara Nestrowitz, Adam Burke, Megan Sax van der Weyden Applied Ergonomics.2023; 106: 103893. CrossRef - Effects of Occupational Load on the Acceleration, Change of Direction Speed, and Anaerobic Power of Police Officers
Filip Kukić, Radivoje Janković, J. Jay Dawes, Robin Orr, Nenad Koropanovski Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.2023; 37(6): 1237. CrossRef - Effect of the Law Enforcement Duty Belt on Muscle Activation during Hip Hinging Movements in Young, Healthy Adults
James W. Kearney, Megan N. Sax van der Weyden, Nelson Cortes, Orlando Fernandes, Joel R. Martin Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology.2023; 8(3): 99. CrossRef - Ergonomic impact of prehospital clinicians using body armour: A qualitative study
Duncan T. Ritchie, Christopher Doyle Applied Ergonomics.2023; 108: 103947. CrossRef - Musculoskeletal Disorders Associated with Occupational Driving: A Systematic Review Spanning 2006–2021
Olivia Pickard, Peta Burton, Hayato Yamada, Ben Schram, Elisa F. D. Canetti, Robin Orr International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(11): 6837. CrossRef - Can training trunk musculature influence musculoskeletal pain and physical performance in military police officers?
Gabriel Grani, Cintia de Lourdes Nahhas Rodacki, Henrique Lubas, Elisangela Franciele Resende, Rodrigo Hoinatski, Rafael Gomes Sentone, Robin Orr, Anderson Caetano Paulo Ergonomics.2022; 65(2): 265. CrossRef - Validity of a Simulated Practical Performance Test to Evaluate the Mobility and Physiological Burden of COVID-19 Healthcare Workers Wearing Personal Protective Equipment
JuYoun Kwon, Ye-Sung Cho, Beom Hui Lee, Min-Seo Kim, Youngmin Jun, Joo-Young Lee Fashion & Textile Research Journal.2022; 24(5): 655. CrossRef - Influence of Wearing Ballistic Vests on Physical Performance of Danish Police Officers: A Cross-Over Study
Henrik Koblauch, Mette K. Zebis, Mikkel H. Jacobsen, Bjarki T. Haraldsson, Klaus P. Klinge, Tine Alkjær, Jesper Bencke, Lars L. Andersen Sensors.2021; 21(5): 1795. CrossRef - Physical fitness: Differences between initial hiring to academy in law enforcement recruits who graduate or separate from academy
Robert G. Lockie, J. Jay Dawes, Robin M. Orr, Joseph M. Dulla Work.2021; 68(4): 1081. CrossRef - With great power comes great ability: Extending research on fitness characteristics that influence work sample test battery performance in law enforcement recruits
Robert G. Lockie, Matthew R. Moreno, Karly A. Rodas, Joseph M. Dulla, Robin M. Orr, J. Jay Dawes Work.2021; 68(4): 1069. CrossRef - The effects of body armour on mobility and postural control of police officers
Ben Schram, Robin Orr, Ben Hinton, Geoff Norris, Rodney Pope Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.2020; 24(3): 190. CrossRef - The physical competence test of the Dutch National Police: The effects of wearing a police uniform on test performance
Matthijs Koedijk, Hessel F. Stuurman, Peter G. Renden, R.I. (Vana) Hutter, Marian Strating, Raôul R. D. Oudejans Police Practice and Research.2020; 21(3): 264. CrossRef - Special Weapons and Tactics Occupational-Specific Physical Assessments and Fitness Measures
Jessica Strader, Ben Schram, Shane Irving, Jeremy Robinson, Robin Orr International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(21): 8070. CrossRef - Time Spent Working in Custody Influences Work Sample Test Battery Performance of Deputy Sheriffs Compared to Recruits
Robert G. Lockie, Robin M. Orr, Matthew R. Moreno, J. Jay Dawes, Joseph M. Dulla International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(7): 1108. CrossRef - Impact of Various Clothing Variations on Firefighter Mobility: A Pilot Study
Robin Orr, Vini Simas, Elisa Canetti, Daniel Maupin, Ben Schram Safety.2019; 5(4): 78. CrossRef - Associations between Fitness Measures and Change of Direction Speeds with and without Occupational Loads in Female Police Officers
Robin M. Orr, Filip Kukić, Aleksandar Čvorović, Nenad Koropanovski, Radivoje Janković, Jay Dawes, Robert Lockie International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(11): 1947. CrossRef - The effects of body armour on the power development and agility of police officers
Ben Schram, Robin Orr, Ben Hinton, Rodney Pope, Geoff Norris Ergonomics.2019; 62(10): 1349. CrossRef - The Tides of the Zodiac MK VI HD: Comparing the Usability of Inflatable Boats for Seaborne Operations
J. Taverniers, J. Suss, G. Delcourt, Y. De Neve IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors.2019; 7(1): 22. CrossRef - A Comparative Analysis of Physical Fitness in Korean Police Officers: Focus on Results between 2014 to 2019
Sangwoon Kim, Jooyoung Kim Exercise Science.2019; 28(4): 396. CrossRef - A Comparison of Military and Law Enforcement Body Armour
Robin Orr, Ben Schram, Rodney Pope International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(2): 339. CrossRef - Physical Fitness Characteristics That Relate to Work Sample Test Battery Performance in Law Enforcement Recruits
Robert G. Lockie, J. Jay Dawes, Katherine Balfany, Ciara E. Gonzales, Maria M. Beitzel, Joseph M. Dulla, Robin M. Orr International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(11): 2477. CrossRef
-
45
View
-
0
Download
-
19
Web of Science
-
22
Crossref
|