Wiedza a samodoskonalenie kompetencji motorycznych przez policjantów

Introduction. The aim of the research was to clarify the relationship between policemen’s knowledge and their real motor competence and physical fitness that enable them to execute operational tasks. Material and methods. The study was conducted on a group of 52 out of 224 officers of the Intelligence Department and the Municipal Police Intervention in Wroclaw in 2011. It analyzed the responses to the questionnaire developed by the authors and the internal police reports on the results of the physical competence test. Results and conclusions. Analysis of the test results obtained by officers in periodic performance testing indicates a low level of motor skill competence. The mean overall score of all trials is 3.41 for the whole sample. This represents only 56% of the lower limit of the maximum level of efficiency, but in practice, considering the nature of any potential operational activities taken, in many individual cases it seems to be insufficient. The profile of the tested police officers’ efficiency is rather strength-oriented with a clear trunk muscle strength dominance (4.25). Definitely, a weaker motor competence of all subjects is was the one identified on the basis of running tests. Strength test results can be considered quite as bad (2.85). The state of knowledge regarding the nature and manner of motor competence development is low and insufficient to affect self-improvement in the tested officers’ fitness. The respondents generally do not take advantage of the opportunity to improve their motor competence in specialized activities carried out by trained staff. A low level of health awareness of the policemen can also result in a low motor competence condition. The age of officers and their level of education slightly differentiates the results and do not give the grounds to a clear indication of dependence.