Chapter 31 Physical Fitness And Wellness PDF

CHAPTER 31 – PHYSICAL FITNESS AND WELLNESS REV. NOVEMBER 30, 2012 31.01 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a physical fitness policy and procedure for the employees of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), and to prescribe policies and procedures for its implementation. 31.02...

CHAPTER 31 – PHYSICAL FITNESS AND WELLNESS REV. NOVEMBER 30, 2012 31.01 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a physical fitness policy and procedure for the employees of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), and to prescribe policies and procedures for its implementation. 31.02 GENERAL A. This policy is for internal use only. The contents are intended to help Sheriff's Office employees to achieve and maintain an acceptable level of physical conditioning and wellness. And provides them with the necessary tools: counseling, counselors, and the opportunity to exercise so that these goals can be achieved. There is nothing contained in this policy that is intended to increase nor decrease the Sheriff's Office liability over and above that which is incurred through the normal employee/employer relationship. B. All Bexar County Sheriff's Office personnel have a duty to the public to maintain an acceptable level of general health and physical fitness regardless of age, rank, or duty assignment. Such fitness is essential to day to day effectiveness and readiness of the BCSO. C. Employees who are not physically fit are a detriment to the overall readiness and performance of the BCSO. Physical fitness helps an employee to meet the stress and rigors of a challenging job, while at the same time providing long term health benefits. D. All employees are encouraged to participate in the Bexar County Health Works Health and Wellness program. Employees should maintain a physical fitness, which allows responding to, and effectively performing their job duties in both routine and emergency situations. E. Employees' physical fitness provides a reserve level that will enhance their chances of winning in stress related situations. F. Physical fitness provides a medium for developing the self-confidence of individual employees and thereby enhances overall discipline, esprit-de-corps, team efficiency and the desire to excel within the BCSO. G. Regular exercise and health education contributes to the health and wellbeing of all Bexar County Sheriff's Office employees. 31.03 DEFINITIONS A. Aerobics means with oxygen. Examples of aerobic exercise are swimming, aerobic dance/step, skiing and jogging/running. B. Anaerobic means without oxygen. Examples of anaerobic exercise are weight lifting, basketball and racquetball. Effective date April 30, 2014 303 C. Competitive Conditioning means physical conditioning designed to impose a challenge. (goal related activities) D. Fitness Prescription means suggesting specific exercises, and providing ways, with frequency, duration and intensity, by which one's fitness level can be improved in any specific category. E. Occupational Conditioning means physical conditioning designed to improve job related physical tasks. (specific training) F. Physical Fitness means the organic conditioning of the body which enables an individual to use their body in activities requiring strength endurance (muscular), cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, coordination, agility, power, balance, speed, and accuracy without experiencing undue fatigue and/or exhaustion. G. Physical Readiness means the maintaining of physical strength, endurance and skills. H. Progressive Resistance means anaerobic exercise using some type of opposing force/energy. (muscle against gravity) I. Reserve Fuel means that type of stored energy that the body can call on when exigent circumstances require it for peak performance. J. "Norms" means the fitness levels based on all the persons tested in the same age and sex category. The "norms" tell an individual where they rank when compared to the population of the same age and sex. e.g.; if a person attains 40%; 60% of a person in the same age and sex scored a higher fitness level. 31.04 GOAL A. An employee's health and wellbeing are of prime importance to the employee, the employee's family, colleagues, co-workers, BCSO officials, other law enforcement agencies, and to the community. The BCSO's commitment to physical fitness is based on four (4) factors: 1. A physically fit employee can best meet the physical challenges he/she may face without notice. 2. Improved health reduces emotional and nervous tension, and allows individuals to perform their assigned duties with greater ease and should prevent the need to use excessive sick days. 3. A physically fit employee is less susceptible to common injuries, and, if injured, should be able to recover more rapidly. 4. Associated health hazards are less likely to occur, such as: degenerative heart disease, hypo kinetic diseases, and orthopedic disorders B. Our goal is to improve, maintain, and support good physical fitness among employees to ensure their physical health is equal to or greater than that of the average individual within their age and gender group. Effective date April 30, 2014 304 31.05 PROCEDURE A. In order to ensure the attainment and subsequent maintenance of minimum physical fitness standards, the BCSO has a physical fitness program consisting of the following components: 1. Medical Examinations: The BCSO is concerned that health hazards and medical problems are identified prior to employees engaging in vigorous exercise or employment. Therefore, all applicants must undergo a medical examination by a county selected physician, prior to employment. Employees, who are unaccustomed to vigorous exercise, are encouraged to consult their own physician. Those employees past the age of thirty five (35), or who have a medical history of cardio-respiratory problems should also obtain an annual stress EKG test. 2. Exercise Programs: Trained exercise specialists are available to provide information, advice, and assistance regarding recommended exercise and wellness programs. Supervised exercise training sessions are scheduled to enable employees to exercise individually or to participate, in-group exercise activities which can be reviewed on the Bexar County Intranet Website under Health Works Employee Health and Wellness Fitness Evaluations. Effective date April 30, 2014 305