INDICATORS OF MAXIMAL FLEXOR FORCE OF LEFT AND RIGHT HAND FOR THE POLICE SELECTION CRITERIA PURPOSES

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INDICATORS OF MAXIMAL FLEXOR FORCE OF LEFT AND RIGHT HAND FOR THE POLICE SELECTION CRITERIA PURPOSES

Journal Title: Sport Mont - Year 2006, Vol 0, Issue 10

Abstract

As a part of their professional responsibilities, police officers have authorization, in situation determined by law, to apply physical force or means of force. Due to given professional reasons, selection among the candidates as well as routine physical capability assessments, should have professional-methodological basis and scientific foundation. Muscle groups of particular reference in relationship to estimate general contraction characteristic in regard to force, and at the same time very easy to test are flexor muscles of fingers of the hand (test “hand squeeze”). The aim of this research is to define criterion characteristic for the population to function for selection and estimation of the hand squeeze force among policemen. This research had 723 participants, students of the Police Academy, as representatives of policemen between 19 and 24 years of age. In order to estimate force of hand grip (both right and left hand), we utilized tensiometric method, and standard procedure previously described (1). For the statistical analysis we used basic descriptive analysis, cluster analysis (defining 7 characteristic classes (clusters) as a function of population tested –unacceptable, poor, below average, averaged, above average, excellent and superior), and factor analysis (definition of the selection test as a function of selection procedure) (10). Our results indicate that averaged hand grip force among the tested population is 61.70±8.97 DaN (Min – Max=43.43-101.41) for left hand, and 65.11±9.34 DaN (Min – Max= 46.54-109.75) for right hand. The values for the force of defined cluster centers of left hand are: Cluster1-7=50.22, 55.76, 61.61, 67.84, 74.71, 84.02 and 97.15 DaN, and right hand are: Cluster1-7=53.40, 60.27, 66.10, 72.20, 79.70, 92.55 and 105.65 DaN. Factor analysis results have shown that one factor has been isolated that accounted for 91.10 worthy variance. Regarding the individual variability, for the saturation of the isolated factor the right hand participated with 95.8% force, while left hand participated with 95.0% force. We have therefore demonstrated, among tested population, measurement of right hand force is more representative estimation of the given variable. Based on the distribution of results for right hand force, as function of isolated cluster criterion, distribution of the tested population in respect to Cluster1-7 is following: 18.53%, 27.94%, 24.62%, 17.98%, 8.02%, 2.63%, 0.28%, respectively. The value of the bordering minimum for right hand force of Cluster 2 is 56.87 DaN, which represents 18.5‰ (percentile) of tested population. In regard to tested policemen population between 19 and 24 years of age, results of right hand grip force is test of choice for estimation of maximal hand flexor force. The value of inflexion point (point of separation in regard to selection criterion – acceptable/unacceptable) is on the level of 56.87 DaN, for the right hand grip force and its placed among 18.5‰ (percentile) of tested population.

Authors and Affiliations

Milivoj Dopsaj, Goran Vučković

Keywords

EP ID EP205593
DOI -
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