Motricidade © Edições Sílabas Didáticas 2020, vol. 16, n. S1, pp. 136-143 http://dx.doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.22334 Mental Health and Physical Activity Level in Military Police Officers from Sergipe, Brazil Victor Matheus Santos do Nascimento 1*, Levy Anthony Souza de Oliveira1, Luan Lopes Teles1, Davi Pereira Monte Oliveira1, Nara Michelle Moura Soares1 , Roberto Jerônimo dos Santos Silva1 ORIGINAL ARTICLE ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to analyse the association between the level of physical activity and mental health indicators in this population. A total of 254 military police officers, male and female, aged between 21 and 55, participated in military battleships and police companies in the metropolitan region of Aracaju, Sergipe. They responded to an assessment form, available online, on Google Forms, containing questions about socio-demographic, anthropometric and occupational characteristics, quality of sleep (Pittsburgh scale), stress (EPS-10), anxiety and depression (HAD scale), Exhaustion syndrome (MBI - GS), suicidal ideation (YRBSS - adapted), and Physical Activity level (IPAQ-short). Officers classified as "insufficiently active" had a higher risk for "burnout syndrome" (OR = 2.49; CI: 95% 1.42-4.43) and a greater feeling of "deep sadness" (OR = 1.85; CI: 95% 1.03-3.33) compared with physically active colleagues. In addition, longer service time was a protective factor against anxiety (OR = 0.30; CI: 95% 0.13-0.68), burnout syndrome (OR = 0.28; CI: 95% 0.12 -0.67) and deep sadness (OR = 0.25; CI: 95% 0.11-0.57). Older officers are more likely to be affected by "deep sadness" (OR = 2.80; CI: 95% 1.37-5.71). It was concluded that physical activity is associated with changes in the mental health of the police officers evaluated. Keywords: anxiety disorders, mental health, physical fitness, public health, psychological exhaustion. INTRODUCTION Physical inactivity is a risky behavior that may Scientific studies have shown that police work lead to health problems such as obesity, is characterized by high occupational stress. hypertension, and diabetes (Health Organization Police officers are exposed to acute and chronic [WHO], 2017). Furthermore, there is evidence of stressful events at work, which may compromise an association between physical activity with psychological well-being and physical health depressive conditions, alcohol consumption, and (Lucas et al., 2012; Magnavita & Garbarino, smoking (Gigantesco et al., 2015; Ströhle, 2009). 2013). Exposure to these events may increase However, although it is well documented in burnout syndrome, anxiety, and suicidal ideation the literature that physical activity is an essential (Miranda & Guimarães, 2016; Taris et al., 2010; way of promoting health, quality of life, and Vancini et al., 2018). In addition, this public has physical and mental well-being, in the structure an extensive working day, with alternating shifts, and organization chart of the Military Police there which may influence the development of are currently no comprehensive policies for unhealthy behaviors, such as consuming low stimulating the practice of physical activity and nutrient density foods, poor sleep quality, and a physical training programs for agents. However, high prevalence of physical inactivity and when police intervention is necessary, these excessive sedentary behavior (da Silva et al., professionals may sometimes need to carry out 2014). actions in an energetic manner, such as running, carrying equipment, armaments, and 1 Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Brazil * Autor correspondente: Núcleo de Pesquisa em Aptidão Física, Saúde e Desempenho de Sergipe, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Campus Universitário – Bairro Jardim Rosa Elze. CEP: 49100- 000. São Cristovão/SE, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected] 137 | VM Santos, LAS Oliveira, LL Teles, et al. transporting an injured individual (Boyce et al., Instruments 2006). The short version of the International Physical In addition to this physical demand, these Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to moments of maximum effort may also affect the analyze the level of physical activity (Matsudo et mental aspects of the military police, given that al., 2001). We characterized the classification of many of these individuals experience stressful the instrument into two levels; the experiences due to exposure to risky situations as characterization of "Active = 0" was given for part of this profession (Nelson & Smith, 2016). "very active" and "active", and "Low levels of These experiences may trigger anxiety, post- physical activity = 1" was given for "insufficiently traumatic stress syndrome, and depression active" and "sedentary". (Acquadro Maran et al., 2018; Lee et al., 2016; The body mass index (BMI) was calculated Vancini et al., 2018). In addition, the presence of using the values obtained for mass and height, one or more of these factors may increase the risk self-reported by participants (Vieira et al., 2006). of self-inflicted injuries, which ends up The calculated BMI was characterized into two decreasing the effectiveness of the subject's levels: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 as action as a military police officer (Van der Meer “Eutrophic (<25.0 kg/m2) = 0” and BMI equal to et al., 2017). or greater than 25.0 kg/m2 as "Overweight = 1". However, although documented for other An interview was conducted to collect data on professional areas, it is not yet evident in the socio-demographic and occupational factors. literature that physical activity may be considered Socio-demographic factors included sex, age, and a protective agent for police officers against economic class. Occupational factors included job harmful mental health conditions. Based on the characteristics, workplace, length of service, and above, the purpose of the present study was to weekly workload. Continuous variables were analyze the association between physical activity dichotomized from the median (Box 1). In the level and mental health indicators in this socioeconomic classification, categories A to B2 population. were characterized as "Upper/upper-middle class = 0", and C1 to E, as "Middle class = 1". This METHOD characterization is justified based on the salary of Participants a police officer. While a soldier's salary can vary A cross-sectional design was employed in this between 3,370-4,805 Brazilian reais, included up study. The sample was calculated based on the to economic class C1 (Brasil, 2019), the other population of 2,227 police officers active in 2018, positions can vary between 5,600-25,000 and the population was delineated by the number Brazilian reais. For the continuous values of age, of military police officers active in battalions and length of service, and weekly workload, the companies in the metropolitan region of Aracaju median of these variables were used as a reference (Aracaju, Nossa Senhora de Socorro, São and then characterized into two levels, as shown Cristóvão and Barra dos Coqueiros). The sample in Box 1. calculation was done using the Barbetta equation, Suicidal ideation among the military police taking into account the maximum tolerable error was assessed based on some questions adapted of 5% and 95% interval (Bar-betta., 2008). 254 from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (N) police officers were identified. Male and System (YRBSS) (Kann et al., 2018), according to female military police officers, active on duty, Box 1, as these are direct questions about suicidal aged between 21 and 55, participated in the behavior. present study. The EPS-10 stress perception scale (Siqueira The Sergipe State Military Police Command Reis et al., 2010) was used to assess the authorized data collection. Police officers on individual's perceived stress. This questionnaire medical leave from work were excluded. This consists of 10 questions, and the subject should study was approved by the Ethics and Research answer based on their thoughts and feelings in Committee-CEP (Nº: 2.729.750). Mental and physical health in police officers | 138 the previous 30 days. All characterizations are 0 to 21. Values between 0 and 10 were shown in Box 1. characterized as "Normality = 0" and values The HAD scale was used to assess the level of above 10 points as "Sleep disorders = 1" (Table anxiety and depression. Participants answered 14 1) (Bertolazi, 2008; Buysse, Reynolds, Monk, questions: seven focused on the level of anxiety Berman, & Kupfer, 1989). and the other seven on the level of depression. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Each component's questions were summed, and Survey (MBI-GS) (Maslach et al., 2001) was used the result was assessed according to the to measure Burnout Syndrome in military classification (Botega et al., 1995). personnel. This survey is a quantitative inventory, The Pittsburgh scale consisting of 10 built with a Likert scale, numbered from 0 to 6. questions, was used to assess sleep quality. This Final scores between 0-60 points were questionnaire measures the usual; bedtime and characterized as "Normality = 0" and scores sleep quality, wake-up time, and hours of sleep between 61-100 points as "Presence of Burnout = per night. Seven scores were summed and 1" (Box 1). combined into a global score, which can vary from Box 1 Representative chart of the questions used to assess the study variables. Dependent variables Questions used Categorization During the past 12 months, have you felt excessively No Deep sadness sad or hopeless? Yes (ref) No During