Physical Fitness and Occupational Capacity Among Police Officers in Ogun State Command

Physical fitness is a fundamental occupational health requirement for law enforcement officers, directly influencing operational performance, injury prevention, and long-term service sustainability. This study assessed the physical fitness levels and occupational capacity of police officers in Ogun State Police Command, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed with 180 officers recruited from three police divisions through stratified random sampling. Physical fitness assessments included body mass index, blood pressure measurement, grip strength testing, step test for cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility evaluation. A structured occupational health questionnaire captured self-reported health conditions, lifestyle behaviors, and service history. Results revealed that 54.4 percent of officers were overweight or obese, while hypertension was detected in 38.9 percent. Cardiovascular fitness scores were classified as poor or very poor for 61.1 percent of participants. Sedentary behavior outside active duty was reported by 73.3 percent. Only 12.2 percent engaged in structured regular physical exercise, and formal fitness evaluation had never been conducted for 87.8 percent of officers. These findings raise concerns about operational readiness and long-term musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health in the Ogun State Police Command. The study recommends mandatory periodic physical fitness evaluations, structured occupational wellness programs, and lifestyle modification interventions as part of police occupational health policy. Keywords: physical fitness, police officers, occupational capacity, cardiovascular health, Ogun State.