Date Available

8-7-2012

Year of Publication

2012

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Education

Department/School/Program

Kinesiology and Health Promotion

First Advisor

Dr. Mark Abel

Abstract

Research indicates that law enforcement officers (LEOs) have a higher prevalence of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to the general population. Sleep deprivation and physical inactivity have been found to be related to many risk factors for CAD. This cross-sectional study examined the health status and the relationship between sleep and physical activity outcomes versus CAD risk factors among 27 University LEOs. The subjects’ health behaviors, and CAD and metabolic syndrome risk factors were described using basic statistics. Accelerometer derived sleep and physical activity outcomes were correlated to measures of health to identify potential relationships. 33% of LEOs were classified as moderate risk for CAD; 92% had dyslipidemia, 58% had elevated triglycerides, 23% had prediabetes, and 22% suffered from obesity. The administrators and first shift LEOs slept more compared to second or third shift LEOs. The LEOs were more sedentary while on-duty. In addition, sedentary time was correlated to systolic blood pressure. LEOs accumulated 24.4 min·d-1 of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), but only spent 9.3 min·d-1 in continuous bouts of MVPA. In conclusion, multiple CAD risk factors were present in these LEOs and achieving adequate amounts of physical activity and sleep may decrease their risk of developing chronic diseases.

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