In the demanding realm of law enforcement, especially within specialized units like SWAT, maintaining peak physical fitness and preventing injuries are critical for operational success and officer safety. The unpredictable and strenuous nature of police duties often exposes officers to a higher risk of work-related injuries compared to other professions.3
Police officers face significant occupational hazards, with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicating that in 2022, there were 116 police officer fatalities, with homicides accounting for 43.1% of these deaths.1 Additionally, the Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project reports that over the past five years, an average of 19,975 officers annually have suffered injuries from assaults while on duty.2 Recognizing these challenges, Fuel Health & Wellness has partnered with the Grand Rapids Police SWAT team to implement the dorsaVi Movement Analysis system. This innovative approach aims to enhance performance, identify potential injury risks, and ensure the health and well-being of our dedicated officers.
How dorsaVi Helped Grand Rapids SWAT Officers
The dorsaVi Movement Analysis system played a crucial role in assessing, improving, and safeguarding the health and performance of the Grand Rapids Police SWAT team. By leveraging advanced wearable technology, we obtained objective and detailed data, allowing us to create personalized and effective corrective exercise programs to add to their training.
A. Initial Assessment: Identifying Weaknesses and Risks
Pre-Test Overview
To understand the physical demands placed on SWAT officers and identify potential injury risks, we conducted comprehensive pre-testing on 6 SWAT officers. This assessment focused on three critical areas:
- Movement Mechanics:
- Evaluated lumbopelvic stability, squat mechanics, lower limb control with single leg hopping, ankle mobility, balance, and ground reaction forces during dynamic movements such as sprinting, squatting, and jumping.
- Analyzed squatting and hopping patterns and movement efficiency to identify asymmetries and faulty mechanics that could lead to injury.
- Muscular Imbalances and Weaknesses:
- Detected strength disparities between muscle groups, which could predispose officers to injuries during high-intensity tasks.
- Assessed muscular endurance and activation patterns to pinpoint inefficient movement compensations.
- Potential Injury Risks:
- Identified areas where officers were at risk for injury due to repetitive movements, uneven loading, or poor movement patterns.
Data-Driven Insights
The dorsaVi system provided objective, quantitative data on each officer’s movement patterns and muscular performance. This level of detailed analysis allowed us to:
- Identify Individual Weaknesses: Pinpoint specific areas of weakness or instability unique to each officer.
- Detect Asymmetries: Recognize imbalances between the left and right sides of the body, which are common causes of injury.
- Target High-Risk Movements: Highlight movements that placed excessive stress on joints or muscles, increasing the risk of injury.
Traditional physical assessments often rely on subjective observation and lack the precision required to detect these subtle but critical issues. In contrast, dorsaVi delivered precise measurements and detailed reports, ensuring that no potential risks were overlooked.
B. Customized Training Programs to Address Weaknesses
Targeted Exercise Programs
Armed with detailed insights from the dorsaVi assessments, we designed customized exercise programs tailored to each officer’s unique needs, focusing on the following areas:
- Improving Stability and Balance:
- Implemented balance training exercises, such as single-leg stability drills and dynamic balance challenges, to enhance coordination and proprioception.
- Incorporated core strengthening routines to support trunk stability during dynamic movements.
- Enhancing Strength in Weak Muscle Groups:
- Targeted resistance training exercises to strengthen underactive or weak muscle groups identified in the dorsaVi assessments.
- Emphasized bilateral symmetry to correct imbalances, reducing the risk of overuse injuries.
Evidence-Based Interventions
Unlike conventional “one-size-fits-all” programs, our approach was data-driven and evidence-based, ensuring maximum effectiveness and safety. By leveraging dorsaVi’s detailed movement analysis, we could:
- Personalize Exercises: Tailor exercises to each officer’s specific needs, addressing individual weaknesses without risking overuse or injury.
- Monitor Progress: Continuously track improvements using objective data, allowing us to adjust programs in real-time for optimal results.
- Enhance Safety and Efficiency: By targeting only the necessary areas, we minimized unnecessary stress on healthy joints and muscles, reducing the risk of injury.
This strategic and individualized approach not only optimized performance but also significantly reduced injury risks.
C. Post-Test Results: Measurable Improvement and Success
12-Week Follow-Up Testing
After 12 weeks of targeted training and rehabilitation, we conducted post-testing using the dorsaVi system to evaluate progress and measure the effectiveness of our interventions.
Impressive Results
All 6 SWAT officers showed remarkable improvements in their physical performance, including:
- Enhanced Movement Mechanics:
- Demonstrated more efficient and controlled movement patterns during dynamic tasks, including squatting, running, hopping, and acceleration/deceleration changes.
- Improved ground reaction forces, indicating better shock absorption and energy transfer during high-impact movements.
- Increased Strength and Balance:
- Significant gains in muscle strength, particularly in previously identified weak muscle groups.
- Enhanced stability and balance, leading to more coordinated and agile movements.
- Reduced Injury Risk and Enhanced Performance:
- Corrected muscular imbalances and asymmetries, resulting in a more balanced and resilient musculoskeletal system.
- Improved overall physical performance and readiness, ensuring that the officers could perform their duties safely and effectively.
Operational Readiness and Safety
These results not only enhanced the officers’ physical capabilities but also contributed to their operational readiness and safety on duty. By addressing potential injury risks proactively, we ensured that they were better prepared to handle the physical demands of their high-stress roles.
Conclusion: Data-Driven Success with dorsaVi
The use of dorsaVi Movement Analysis in assessing and training the Grand Rapids SWAT team showcases the power of data-driven, individualized training. By identifying weaknesses, customizing interventions, and measuring progress objectively, we were able to enhance performance, reduce injury risks, and ensure operational readiness.
This approach not only optimized the officers’ physical capabilities but also reinforced the value of integrating cutting-edge technology into injury prevention and performance optimization programs.
Impact on Our Practice
Integrating dorsaVi into our services has profoundly influenced Fuel Health & Wellness:
- Enhanced Service Offerings: We now provide advanced movement analysis, setting us apart from competitors.
- Attracting Diverse Clientele: Our innovative approach appeals to athletes, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, runners, and individuals seeking precise movement assessments.
- Strengthened Community Ties: Collaborations like the one with the Grand Rapids SWAT team deepen our community relationships and open avenues for future partnerships.
- Business Growth: Offering specialized services has led to increased revenue and expanded our client base.
Conclusion
The collaboration with the Grand Rapids Police SWAT team underscores the efficacy of dorsaVi Movement Analysis in enhancing performance and preventing injuries. By providing data-driven insights, we empower our clients to achieve their best while safeguarding their health.
About The Author
Dr. Eric Broadworth, PT, DPT, OCS, CDNT, CSCS
CEO of Fuel Health & Wellness | CEO of Fuel Consulting | Partner at Red Light Systems | Host of the Healthy Hustling Podcast
Dr. Eric Broadworth is a dedicated physical therapist and the founder of Fuel Health & Wellness, where he empowers athletes and active individuals to overcome pain and achieve peak performance. With a passion for innovative therapies, Eric specializes in utilizing advanced modalities like red light therapy and laser therapy to enhance recovery and optimize results.
An advocate for movement and performance, Eric has collaborated with elite athletes, including professional athletes of the UFC, MLB, NHL, and CrossFit Games, to help them overcome injuries and reach their full potential. His expertise extends to sports injury rehabilitation, pain management, and injury prevention, making him a trusted name in the fitness and healthcare communities.
Committed to advancing the field of physical therapy, Eric actively integrates cutting-edge technologies like dorsaVi movement analysis to provide data-driven, customized care plans. His forward-thinking approach ensures that each client receives the most effective and efficient path to recovery and performance enhancement.
When he’s not working with patients or podcasting, Eric enjoys staying active himself—whether it’s through fitness, hockey, golfing or anything else that involves movement.
Connect with Dr. Eric Broadworth:
- Website: Fuel Health & Wellness
- Podcast: Healthy Hustling Podcast
- Social Media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Eric’s Philosophy:
“Movement is medicine. My mission is to empower people to live healthy, active, pain-free lives so they can keep doing what they love.”
References:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Fatal and non-fatal violence to police officers during 2012–2022 at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/fatal-and-non-fatal-violence-to-police-officers-during-2012-2022.htm (visited February 24, 2025).
- Law enforcement safety. Law Enforcement Safety | +OK | University of Illinois Chicago. (n.d.). https://policeepi.uic.edu/law-enforcement-safety/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Lyons K, Radburn C, Orr R, Pope R. A Profile of Injuries Sustained by Law Enforcement Officers: A Critical Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Feb 3;14(2):142. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14020142. PMID: 28165373; PMCID: PMC5334696.