University Daily Kansan, October 22, 1984
CAMPUS AND AREA
Page 6
Fitness all in a day's work for city employees
By JOHN REIMRINGER Staff Reporter
Boston University police earlier this month agreed to do what Lawrence firefighters have been doing since 1989 - stay in shape.
Under its new contract, the BU police department became one of the first campus police departments to require its officers to keep fit.
Few municipal police and fire departments nationwide have mandatory exercise programs, but Law enforcement have been running and bicycling for four years as part of a mandatory fitness program.
The University of Kansas Police Department has considered the possibility of a fitness program, but the idea would not be as practical for a police department as it is for the law enforcement Lt. Jeanne Longerak said.
"IF WE MADE it mandatory we were going to have to let them do it on their shift or pay them time-and-a-
high overture to come in and do it," she said. "If you have them do it on duty then you have to have someone come in and for them.
"The problem is always money," she said.
Longaker said a physical fitness program was included in the six months of training a KU police department recruit received.
The fire department's program, begun in 1980, is designed to reduce the risk of heart attacks, and has had other benefits as well.
"The overall fitness level of the department has gone up." Capt. Rich Barr said. "I think our injuries have been reduced also."
Strains, sprains, pulled muscles and exhaustion have been reduced by the program. Barr said.
FIGURES SUPPLIED BY THE National Fire Protection Agency report that 41.5 percent of fire attacks in 1983 died of duty in 1983 died of heart attacks.
Firefighters are susceptible to heart attacks because they go from a
sedentary situation to all-out exertion whenever an alarm is received, Barr said.
"The alarm hits and everybody's blood pressure goes up." he said.
Blood pressure has been reduced among Lawrence firefighters since the program began, according to yearly tests conducted for the fire department in KU PEI. The Robinson Clinic in Robinson Gymnasium. Firefighters' average weight and percentage of body fat also have decreased.
Lung capacity, flexibility and leg strength also have increased under the program, the tests show.
a negligible improvement, the program was made mandatory.
THE TESTS WERE first conducted in 1979, at which time a voluntary program was started, Barr said. When tests in 1980 showed only
The program requires shift personnel at the fire department to earn 10 aeroibic fitness points a shift, which is the equivalent of running two miles, he said. Office personnel must earn five points a shift.
The firefighters fulfill the requirement by running, Barr said, but stationary bicycles are available at every station for use in bad weather.
Each station also has weights, he said, but weight training is voluntary.
When running, the firefighters must stay close enough to the station to be able to react quickly to any alarms that are reported. Barr said.
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M-F 10-8 Sat. 10-5
ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF KANSAS
PRESENTS
A Political Forum featuring Jim Flory & Mike Glover candidates for Douglas County DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Tues., Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.
Jayhawk Room in Kansas Union
paid for by Student Activity Fee
The Great Alaska Shootout
Nov. 21-26, 1984
Sponsored by The Williams Fund
$ 929 per person
Use Kansan Classified.
Join the Kansas Jayhawks as they venture to Anchorage, Alaska, for one of the nation's premier college basketball tournaments. FEATURED
FEATURES
- Rounding up transportation from Kansas City to Anchorage, Alaska
* Five nights first class accommodations
* A deluxe Thanksgiving dinner
* Airport transfers and luggage handling
* Services of a Maquintan four manager
* Lots of exciting basketball
Gameickets are an additional $45
can be purchased through Morningstar on the Williams Fund.
For reservations and more information call or visit:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND:
A LECTURE
"THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE IN LATIN AMERICA."
BY
ALBERTO CANAS
FORMER MINISTER OF CULTURE OF COSTA RICA.
ATTORNEY, DIPLOMAT AND PLAYWRIGHT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 3:30 P.M.
COUNCIL ROOM, KANSAS UNION
SPONSORED BY:
SPONSORED BY:
THE CENTER OF LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
SWING