JAMES M. SAYIH, 911 FITNESS, INC, MIAMI, FL, 33015

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the strength and body composition changes elicited by 4 repetition maximum (RM) at 85% intensity and a combined cardiovascular with 4RM at 85% intensity protocols in untrained Women Police Officers. Twelve ‘Police Women’ volunteered to participate and were assigned to either the ‘strength group’ (M) or the ‘combined group’ (C). Training was performed 6 times per week for group C and 3 times for group M; free weights and machine equipment were used for both groups. Group C performed 6 sets of 4 repetitions at 85% of their 1RM and included thirty minutes of cardiovascular work on three alternating days of weight training. Group M performed 6 sets of 4 repetitions at 85% of their 1RM without cardiovascular work. Strength and body composition (3 site: skinfold with calipers–Tricep, Suprailiac, Thigh) was measured at 0 and 6 weeks. Significant increases in strength were observed in group M of 165% and group C of 118% at 1RM. Body composition occurred in both groups. The C and M groups loading intensities elicited significant and equal increases in strength and lean muscle tissue. Group M however showed 40% more strength than group C. These results suggest that strength training protocols produce more strength than combined strength/cardiovascular training over a 6 week period in previously untrained Police Women.