title: An ergonomic evaluation of city police officers: an analysis of perceived discomfort within patrol duties.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived discomfort of patrol officers related to equipment and vehicle design and whether there were discomfort differences between day and night shifts. A total of 16 participants were recruited (10 males, 6 females) from a local police force to participate for one full day shift and one full night shift. A series of questionnaires were administered to acquire information regarding comfort with specific car features and occupational gear, body part discomfort and health and lifestyle. The discomfort questionnaires were administered three times during each shift to monitor discomfort progression within a shift. Although there were no significant discomfort differences reported between the day and night shifts, perceived discomfort was identified for specific equipment, vehicle design and vehicle configuration, within each 12-h shift.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Kinesiology , University of New Brunswick , Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Kinesiology , University of New Brunswick , Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Girouard
authors.affiliation: b School of Kinesiology and Health Studies , University of Waterloo , Canada.
authors.forename: Jack P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Callaghan
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Kinesiology , University of New Brunswick , Canada.
authors.forename: Wayne J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009509:New Brunswick; D010465:Perception; D016495:Police / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ergonomics; perceived discomfort; police officers; vehicle design