Abstract

The fitness of law enforcement officers generally declines over their career. Physical activity could slow fitness declines due to job-related sedentary behaviors. An officer’s self-efficacy (belief in ability to exercise) and motivation (desire to exercise) could predict exercise participation. Sixty officers (48 males, 12 females) completed questionnaires assessing physical activity (weekly strenuous, moderate, and mild exercise sessions; activity score), resistance training (RT frequency [RTF]; average RT sessions per week over past 3 months [RT3M]; number of RT sessions in past 7 days [RT7D]), motivation (Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire; categorized as amotivation, external, introjected, identified, integrated, and intrinsic), and coping and scheduling self-efficacy. Stepwise regression derived relationships between motivation and self-efficacy, with strenuous, moderate, and mild PA, activity score, RTL, RT3M, and RT7D (p < 0.05). Strenuous PA was significantly predicted by identified regulation (~24% explained variance), moderate PA by scheduling self-efficacy (~7% explained variance). Activity score was predicted by scheduling self-efficacy and identified regulation (~20% explained variance). RTF was predicted by integrated regulation and scheduling self-efficacy (~41% explained variance), RT3M by identified regulation (~38% explained variance), and RT7D by scheduling self-efficacy (~41% explained variance). Intrinsic motivation (identified and integrated) and scheduling self-efficacy appeared important components of whether officers were active and completed RT. Agencies should encourage the development of intrinsic exercise motivation for personnel, which could begin at academy. Scheduling self-efficacy relates to confidence in making time for exercise, regardless of challenges. Provision of short-duration workouts and exercise opportunities (e.g., before/after shifts) would appear key for agency staff supporting officer fitness.

Keywords: coping, identified regulation, integrated regulation, police, scheduling, tactical