Exercise capacity, Cardiovascular- and Metabolic Risk of German Police officers in an international comparison

Abstract Background: The police force has a mandate to protect citizens and enforce law for public safety. Employment in the police force is recognized as a dangerous occupation and characterized by job-related physical hazards. Therefore, good health and adequate physical condition are necessary. The aim of this study was to determine cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory and metabolic risk parameters of German police officer (POs) in comparison to POs from other nations. Methods: 55 male police officers from Germany participated in the survey. Anthropometric measurements, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and blood parameters were taken. 10-year cardiovascular risk was calculated by using the Framingham Risk Score. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Cardiorespiratory status was assessed by exercise spirometry. Results: The analyzed group of POs demonstrated a high prevalence of preobesity (BMI: 28.0±3.2, waist circumference: 97.8±12.4 cm). 61.8 % of POs showed an increased waist circumference. POs shows elevated cholesterol and triglyceride values and high prevalence of abnormal systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 10-year cardiovascular system risk of examined POs were 9.6 ± 7.4 %. The cardiovascular risk profile of our examined German cohort seems to be in the higher range in comparison to international data. 32 % of POs in our study group were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Maximal relative oxygen uptake of POs was 34.1 ± 8.0 ml/kg-1 ·min-1. Conclusions: To our knowledge this study was one of the first to assess data on cardiovascular health, metabolic syndrome and cardiorespiratory status of police officers in Germany. The results of our study population demonstrated the high cardiovascular and metabolic risk of German police officers and displaying a decreased cardiorespiratory fitness. The present study results demonstrated the need for implementation of interventions and creating health-promoting concepts like corporate sports activities and nutrition courses to counteract cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and the subsequent development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in this occupational group.