Recovery Strategies for Law Enforcement Recruits During Academy Training

ABSTRACT Law enforcement recruits generally need to complete academy training before becoming sworn officers. Academy can be physically challenging for recruits, and their ability to recover from fitness training and other demanding occupational training tasks could determine whether they graduate. Numerous law enforcement organizations are experiencing recruitment challenges, so graduating as many recruits as possible is key for filling vacant positions. The expeditious use of recovery modalities could ensure more recruits are physically prepared each day to complete the required training. This review analyzed different recovery modalities that could have application for law enforcement recruits. The reviewed recovery modalities include those that require no-to-minimal equipment (active recovery, stretching, foam rolling, sleep); those that require specific equipment and/or input from trained professionals (sports massage, intermittent pneumatic compression, cold water immersion, contrast water therapy); and methods involving emerging technology (pulsed electromagnetic field and red light therapy). In addition to strategies that could be directly implemented at the law enforcement academy by training staff, the information from this review could also be used by staff to educate their recruits. Should an agency wish to use a more staff- or equipment-intensive modality, the information contained here could also be used to advocate for additional support.