Protecting the police
Police officers can spend a lot of time on their feet while they’re on duty, walking and running as they patrol the streets. They’re often equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) which can include firearms and holsters as well as their body armour.
Researchers in Brazil have studied the effect this extra kit can have on armed officers by measuring their gait and their comfort. The study examined what effect the officers’ PPE and the position of their holster had on them during a range of different tasks.
Participants walked and sprinted while wearing their equipment and with their holster holding a replica weapon on either their hip or thigh. They also carried out the same tasks without any extra gear.
More back and knee discomfort was reported when wearing the PPE and holster, particularly when sprinting. However, the officers did not experience any loss of speed when sprinting with the extra equipment. And sprinting was reported to be more comfortable for participants’ knees when their holster was worn on their thigh, rather than on their knee.
The study, published in the journal Applied Ergonomics, said: “Understanding the impact on gait kinematics and discomfort allows for more informed decisions in developing ergonomic and functional equipment.
“These insights can contribute to the creation of PPE that not only ensures officers’ safety but also optimises their physical performance during routing activities.”
