THE PARADOX OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONING IN THE MILITARY POLICE: INSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SEMIANNUAL PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

Abstract

This article analyzes the discontinuity of physical conditioning among military police officers after academy training and its impact on occupational health, mental health and operational readiness. It assumes that military police work requires strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, emotional stability, decision-making under stress and rapid response capacity in sudden events. However, in the absence of permanent institutional policies, work-related factors — such as irregular shifts, night work, sleep deprivation, hypervigilance, equipment overload, inadequate meals during duty and an obesogenic environment — favor sedentary behavior, weight gain, early illness and progressive loss of physical fitness. Through applied, exploratory and descriptive research, using a deductive approach, bibliographic and documentary review and an observational case report, the study discusses the need to transform the Physical Fitness Test into a periodic, diagnostic, preventive and policy-guiding tool. It advocates the creation of training centers within police units, supervised by legally qualified physical education professionals; the technical use of officers with specific academic background; agreements with gyms; nutritional and mental health support within the institutional health assistance system; and the gradual implementation of a universal semiannual physical fitness test, preceded by clinical screening, adaptation and follow-up. The article concludes that institutional support for preventive health complies with the principle of efficiency, reduces occupational risks, decreases sick leave and strengthens public security response capacity.