Comparison of Some Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Slovenian Police Special Unit and American Special Forces S.W.A.T.

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to identify and describe specific morphological characteristics of the Slovenian police special unit and compare them with a special police unit of the U.S. Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.). Design/Methods/Approach: In the research, we measured the special police unit of the General Police Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia. During the course of the study, we measured weight (AT), height (AV), body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), lean body mass (LBM, kg), fat mass percentage (%) share absolute fat mass (kg) and the maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max, ml/kg/min). Data were compared to a research conducted by Dawes (2011), on U.S. police Special Forces S.W.A.T.Findings: Members of the Special Unit of the Slovenian police are significantly younger(6.49 ASdiff year, 95% CI 2.62–10.38), lighter (10.57 ASdiff kg, 95% CI 4.03 to 17.11), have a lower body mass index (ASdiff 3.87 kg/m2, 95% CI 2.24–5.50) and possess greater maximal aerobic capacity (ASdiff 12.54 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 10.67–14.41)than the police Special Unit SWAT. The important difference is noted in the maximal aerobic capacity (SLO 57.9 ± 3.35 ml/kg/min; SWAT 45.36 ± 1.72 ml/kg/min), which is in average higher by Slovenian special forces for 12.54 ml/kg/min. This result indicates better overall fitness in Slovenian police special forces.