Retrospective examination of injuries and physical fitness during Federal Bureau of Investigation new agent training

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A retrospective examination was conducted of injuries, physical fitness, and their association among Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) new agent trainees.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Injuries and activities associated with injuries were obtained from a review of medical records in the medical clinic that served the new agents. A physical fitness test (PFT) was administered at Weeks 1, 7 and 14 of the 17-week new agent training course. The PFT consisted of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a 300-meter sprint, and a 1.5-mile run. Injury data were available from 2000 to 2008 and fitness data were available from 2004 to early 2009.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the survey period, 37% of men and 44% of women experienced one or more injuries during the new agent training course (risk ratio (women/men) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.07-1.31). The most common injury diagnoses were musculoskeletal pain (not otherwise specified) (27%), strains (11%), sprains (10%), contusions (9%), and abrasions/lacerations (9%). Activities associated with injury included defensive tactics training (48%), physical fitness training (26%), physical fitness testing (6%), and firearms training (6%). Over a 6-year period, there was little difference in performance of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, or the 300-meter sprint; 1.5-mile run performance was higher in recent years. Among both men and women, higher injury incidence was associated with lower performance on any of the physical fitness measures.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This investigation documented injury diagnoses, activities associated with injury, and changes in physical fitness, and demonstrated that higher levels of physical fitness were associated with lower injury risk.</p

Enhancing Regional RTD and Innovation Development through Foresight & Mentoring : Scenario Development and Action Plan for RTD and Innovation Promotion up to 2020 in Zurich, Switzerland

The Regional Economic RTD Policy through Foresight & Mentoring (REFORM) project was one of 18 projects funded under the Sixth Framework Programme within the ‘Regions of Knowledge 2’ call, which were launched in 2006 with the aim to promote increased and improved regional investment in research and development through mutual learning, coordination and collaboration between regional policy developers and regional initiatives. It is accepted that it is essential to enhance the integration and coordination between private and public R&D investments, and to provide appropriate support through R&D policy and infrastructure, to promote economic progress in Europe. The REFORM project developed, supported and implemented a variety of measures and activities which will enable regions to understand their particular needs to enable increased RTD activity and investment in the future. Through mechanisms such as Foresight and a new Mentoring Programme, the project developed a number of individual action plans for partners, which will provide the infrastructure for new RTD policy and its implementation, and thus increase the economic growth of the EU as a whole. Additional actions, including study visits, workshops and a conference supported the transfer of good practice and knowledge to those regions in the developmental stages of increasing RTD investment, increasing the rate of transfer through hands on support, promotion and participation.The Regional Economic RTD Policy through Foresight & Mentoring (REFORM) project was one of 18 projects funded under the Sixth Framework Programme within the ‘Regions of Knowledge 2’ call, which were launched in 2006 with the aim to promote increased and improved regional investment in research and development through mutual learning, coordination and collaboration between regional policy developers and regional initiatives. It is accepted that it is essential to enhance the integration and coordination between private and public R&D investments, and to provide appropriate support through R&D policy and infrastructure, to promote economic progress in Europe. The REFORM project developed, supported and implemented a variety of measures and activities which will enable regions to understand their particular needs to enable increased RTD activity and investment in the future. Through mechanisms such as Foresight and a new Mentoring Programme, the project developed a number of individual action plans for partners, which will provide the infrastructure for new RTD policy and its implementation, and thus increase the economic growth of the EU as a whole. Additional actions, including study visits, workshops and a conference supported the transfer of good practice and knowledge to those regions in the developmental stages of increasing RTD investment, increasing the rate of transfer through hands on support, promotion and participation

Injury rates and injury risk factors among federal bureau of investigation new agent trainees

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A one-year prospective examination of injury rates and injury risk factors was conducted in Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) new agent training.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Injury incidents were obtained from medical records and injury compensation forms. Potential injury risk factors were acquired from a lifestyle questionnaire and existing data at the FBI Academy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 426 men and 105 women participated in the project. Thirty-five percent of men and 42% of women experienced one or more injuries during training. The injury incidence rate was 2.5 and 3.2 injuries/1,000 person-days for men and women, respectively (risk ratio (women/men) = 1.3, 95% confidence interval = 0.9-1.7). The activities most commonly associated with injuries (% of total) were defensive tactics training (58%), physical fitness training (20%), physical fitness testing (5%), and firearms training (3%). Among the men, higher injury risk was associated with older age, slower 300-meter sprint time, slower 1.5-mile run time, lower total points on the physical fitness test (PFT), lower self-rated physical activity, lower frequency of aerobic exercise, a prior upper or lower limb injury, and prior foot or knee pain that limited activity. Among the women higher injury risk was associated with slower 300-meter sprint time, slower 1.5-mile run time, lower total points on the PFT, and prior back pain that limited activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this investigation supported those of a previous retrospective investigation emphasizing that lower fitness and self-reported pain limiting activity were associated with higher injury risk among FBI new agents.</p

The influence of symbolic and instrumental attributes of employer image on perceived industry attractiveness: differences between business owners and employees

Purpose - This study determines the influence of employer image on industry attractiveness in small and medium-sized hospitality firms by using the instrumental-symbolic framework adapted from marketing literature. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 405 employees and 429 family firm owners in Bavaria were surveyed using a quantitative research design. The authors used linear and hierarchical multiple regression analyses for hypothesis testing using the variables included in the instrumental-symbolic employer image framework. Findings - The study revealed differences in perception between employees and owners. Data showed that employees' ratings for instrumental attributes, such as job security and income options, and symbolic attributes, such as industry attractiveness, significantly differ from those of owners. Consistent with the instrumental-symbolic framework, owners' perceptions of symbolic attributes predicted their perceived industry attractiveness. Practical implications - Owners may examine how their industry's image needs to be changed to gain positive perception by current and potential employees. Policymakers may benefit from the study's results that may help them find the right focal points for strategies in promoting Bavaria's hospitality sector. As a result, an adequate and positive image is created that attracts workers for this sector. Originality/value - The study addresses the rather under-researched stakeholder group of existing hospitality employees, particularly with respect to employer image. Furthermore, owners and employees are compared, regardless of their individually different relationships to the business. Employer image is connected with overall perceived industry attractiveness, stating that the industry comprises individual employing businesses and thus depends on employer image