Psychometric properties of the serbian version of the operational and organizational police stress questionnaires

The Police Operational Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-Op) and Police Organizational Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-Org) have been used to assess operational and organizational sources of police officers’ occupational stress. Considering that different cultural and socio-economic environments could affect officers’ perception of operational and organizational stress, country specific psychometric properties and cut-off values should be defined. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the PSQ-Op and PSQ-Org (i.e., translated in Serbian and adjusted to Serbian culture) and to establish cut-off values for low, moderate and high stress. Methods: The PSQ-Op and PSQ-Org were administered to police officers through the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia. Participants included 1220 police officers (19.0% female) who correctly completed both questionnaires. Cronbach’s α was used to determine the reliability of instruments. Cut-off values for low, moderate and high stress were defined based on the mean and standard deviation of the sample and using percentile analysis. Prevalence of low, moderate and high stress was calculated according to already established cut-off values as well as those calculated based on the study sample. Results: Both instruments showed high reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.963 [95% Confidence Interval = 0.957–0.964]). Occupational stress levels (low, moderate and high) were distributed differently (p < 0.001) when categorized according to the cut-off values defined in literature and cut-off values based on the study sample. The cut-off values by mean and standard deviation could be used for PSQ-Op, while cut-off values by percentile analysis could be used for PSQ-Org

Specific Physical Ability Prediction in Youth Basketball Players According to Playing Position

This study investigated the hierarchical structure of physical characteristics in elite young (i.e., U17-U19) basketball players according to playing positions. In addition, their predictive value of physical characteristics was determined for the evaluation of players’ physical preparedness. Sixty elite male basketball players performed 13 standardized specific field tests in order to assess the explosive power of lower limbs, speed, and change-of-direction speed. They were divided into three groups according to playing positions (guard [n = 28], forward [n = 22], center [n = 10]). The basic characteristics of the tested sample were: age = 17.36 ± 1.04 years, body height = 192.80 ± 4.49 cm, body mass = 79.83 ± 6.94 kg, and basketball experience = 9.38 ± 2.10 years for guards; age = 18.00 ± 1.00 years, body height = 201.48 ± 3.14 cm, body mass = 90.93 ± 9.85 kg, and basketball experience = 9.93 ± 2.28 years for forwards; and age = 17.60 ± 1.43 years; body height = 207.20 ± 3.29 cm, body mass = 104.00 ± 9.64 kg, and basketball experience = 9.20 ± 1.62 years for centers. For all playing positions factor analysis extracted three factors, which cumulatively explained 76.87, 88.12 and 87.63% of variance, respectively. The assessed performance measures were defined as significant (p < 0.001), with regression models of physical performance index (PPINDEX ). PPINDEX of guards = −6.860 + (0.932 × t-test) − (1.656 × Acceleration 15 m) − (0.020 × Countermovement jump); PPINDEX of forwards = −3.436 − (0.046 × Countermovement jump with arm swing) − (1.295 × Acceleration 15 m) + (0.582 × Control of dribbling); PPINDEX of centers = −4.126 + (0.604 × Control of dribbling) − (1.315 × Acceleration 15 m) − (0.037 × Sargent jump). A model for the evaluation of physical performance of young basketball players has been defined. In addition, this model could be used as a reference model for selection procedures, as well as to monitor the efficacy of applied training programmes within the short, medium and long-term periodization

Body Composition and Physical Activity of Female Police Officers: Do Occupation and Age Matter?

This study aimed to investigate the differences in the body composition and volume of leisure time physical activity (V-LTPA) of female police officers from two police occupations and to assess the differences when officers are matched by age. Body composition measures including body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (¿), and percent of skeletal muscle mass (%SMM) of female communal police (n = 56) and general police (n = 90) were compared. Officers were allocated into three age groups: 29 years and younger, 30–39 years, and 40 years and older. We used an independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple analyses of variance to investigate the differences between occupations, between age groups, and between-occupation-within-age differences in body composition. Communal police officers had significantly (p < 0.05) lower BMI and ¿ and higher %SMM compared to general police. Significant differences were found between age groups, with the youngest officers having lower BMI and ¿ and higher %SMM and V-LTPA. Finally, differences in body composition were no longer significant when officers from different occupations were compared within age groups. Police agencies should consider supporting and motivating officers through policies to encourage leisure time physical activities for female officers. Other mechanisms for the management of body composition should also be considered

Влияние специализированного физического образования и дополнительной аэробной нагрузки на аэробную выносливость курсантов полиции

F. Kukic1, [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0002-8625-5375, N. Koropanovski2, [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0002-7196-7185, R. Jankovic2, [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0002-8902-2737, M. Dopsaj1,3, [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0001-7153-2993 1University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, 2University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Belgrade, Serbia, 3South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation Кукич Филип, магистр, факультет спорта и физического воспитания, Белградский университет. Сербия, 11030, г. Белград, ул. Благоя Паровича, 156. E-mail: [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0002-8625-5375. Коропановски Ненад, доцент, Университет уголовных расследований и полицейской подготовки. Сербия, 11080, г. Белград, ул. Кара Душана, 196. E-mail: [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0002-7196-7185. Янкович Радивое, доцент, Университет уголовных расследований и полицейской подготовки. Сербия, 11080, г. Белград, ул. Кара Душана, 196. E-mail: [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0002-8902-2737. Допсай Миливой, профессор, факультет спорта и физического воспитания, Белградский университет. Сербия, 11030, г. Белград, ул. Благоя Паровича, 156; профессор, Южно-Уральский государственный университет. 454080, г. Челябинск, проспект Ленина, 76. E-mail: milivoj.Dopsaj @gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0001-7153-2993.Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate if the SPE classes were sufficient to improve the police students’ aerobic endurance over the period of 12 weeks; and to investigate if two additional aerobic trainings per week may have an effect on the students’ aerobic endurance. Materials and Methods. An initial and final estimated maximal oxygen consumption of 233 ($87 and$146) police students were assessed at the begging and after 12 weeks of training. All participants were performing SPE classes as part of the curriculum, while experimental groups ($39 and$81) conducted two additional trainings for aerobic endurance. A repeated-measure analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of the treatments and the differences between the treatments. Results. The SPE with two additional aerobic endurance trainings significantly improved students’ aerobic endurance in both sexes (14 %, p < 0.01). Two aerobic trainings alone had large effects on aerobic endurance female (11.66 % p < 0.01) and male (12.15 %, p < 0.01) police students. Conclusions. Relatively simple aerobic training, applied two times per week, could provide meaningful changes in aerobic endurance. Practitioners could use the period while police students are at the university to educate them on how to organize and conduct basic physical training on their own. Цель. Цель данного исследования - определить, хватает ли занятий специализированной физической подготовкой для улучшения аэробной выносливости курсантов полиции за 12 недель, и выяснить, повлияют ли две дополнительные аэробные тренировки в неделю на аэробную выносливость курсантов. Материалы и методы. Исходные и итоговые показатели максимального потребления кислорода были установлены у 233 курсантов полиции (87 девушек и 146 юношей) в начале и через 12 недель тренировок. Все участники занимались специализированной физической подготовкой согласно расписанию, в то время как экспериментальная группа (39 девушек и 81 юноша) посещала две дополнительные тренировки аэробной направленности в неделю. Для анализа воздействия различных режимов тренировок и разницы между ними был использован дисперсионный анализ повторных измерений. Результаты. Специализированная физическая подготовка с двумя дополнительными тренировками аэробной направленности значительно улучшила аэробную выносливость курсантов обоего пола (14 %, p < 0,01). Две аэробные тренировки, рассматриваемые отдельно, продемонстрировали заметное воздействие на аэробную выносливость у девушек (11,66 %, p < 0,01) и юношей (12,15 %, p < 0,01). Заключение. Относительно простая тренировка аэробной направленности 2 раза в неделю может оказать значительное воздействие на аэробную выносливость. Тренеры могут использовать данные наблюдения, чтобы научить курсантов, как организовывать и проводить тренировки самостоятельно