Co-Creating an Intervention to Prevent Injuries in Police Force Recruits: A Concept Mapping Study of Police Force Recruits, Police Force Staff, Health Professionals, and Research Experts
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Police force recruits have a high musculoskeletal injury burden, which results in a substantial economic burden and can lead to attrition. The objective of this study was to identify and prioritise the strategies perceived as important and feasible to reduce the prevalence, incidence, and burden of injury in police force recruits. DESIGN: Mixed-methods concept mapping study. METHODS: Forty-eight participants were recruited from four broad groups: police force recruits/officers; police force staff; health professionals; and research experts. Participants brainstormed statements in response to a prompt ("To prevent injury and/or reduce the impact of injury on law enforcement recruit training, I think it's important to….") before sorting and rating the statements/strategies for importance and feasibility. Descriptive statistics, multi-dimensional scaling, hierarchical cluster analysis, pattern matching and Welch's t-tests were applied. RESULTS: Ninety-six unique prevention strategies were identified (42 were above the grand mean for both importance and feasibility). Eight clusters appropriately represented all statements. From highest to lowest mean cluster importance these were: i) clearly communicate physical training program expectations and requirements; ii) prepare for, monitor and manage physical training load; iii) provide best practice injury identification, prevention and management; iv) educate recruits, staff and other stakeholders involved in academy training delivery; v) provide a supportive training environment that promotes health, wellbeing and injury reporting; vi) have experienced staff deliver training and use appropriate equipment; vii) deliver a comprehensive and holistic physical training program; and viii) have appropriate physical entry standards and requirements. CONCLUSION: We identified 42 strategies above the grand means for both importance and feasibility to reduce the burden of injury in police force recruits. These strategies can be implemented by recruits, staff delivering the training program, and/ or staff managing or governing the training program. Future research should refine how these strategies can be implemented in practice and policy.
Source: Sports Medicine - Open
Authors: Myles Murphy, Andrea B. Mosler, Garth Allen, Alex Donaldson, Clare L. Ardern, Carolyn A. Emery, Martin Hägglund, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joanne L. Kemp, Debra Langridge, Tiffany McAlinden, Thomas Mirco, Sophia Nimphius, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Kiera Staley, Vanessa Sutton, Evert Verhagen, Andrea M. Bruder
Institutions: Edith Cowan University, The University of Notre Dame Australia, La Trobe University, Western Australia Police, University of British Columbia, Centre for Aging SMART, University of Calgary, Linköping University, The University of Western Australia, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Health & Safety in Sports, Amsterdam Movement Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Occupational Therapy
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,290
Funders: University of Notre Dame, Raine Medical Research Foundation, Edith Cowan University, University of Notre Dame Australia, Medical Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, Western Australian Future Health and Innovation Fund, Government of Western Australia
Awards: Co-designing and implementing a sustainable injury prevention program for Police Force recruits , G2824683062, G6159084791, Implementation of a PAthway of CarE for people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions living in RURAL and remote Australia using allied telehealth (PACE-RURAL), Understanding and reducing hip osteoarthritis burden in young adults and adolescents
OpenAlex ID: W7166358465