The Effectiveness of Long-Term Physical Preparation in Applicants for Security Forces in Relation to Gender

<ns3:p>Background: Long-term physical preparation for security forces applicants is critical for enhancing their performance and resilience in demanding environments. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term physical preparation in students preparing for service in the security forces. Methods: The sample included 29 students (16 males, 13 females) from a special physical training program for security forces, monitored over three years. Physical performance was assessed using the following tests: 2-minute sit-ups, pull-ups (males), flexed arm hang (females), standing long jump, 100-meter sprint (males), 50-meter sprint (females), Cooper test, Back Squat 1RM, and Bench Press 1RM. The Friedman ANOVA was used for inferential analysis. The research was funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V05-00006. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed across all monitored variables (p < 0.01). The most pronounced gains occurred between baseline and the first year, followed by continued progress or stabilization in subsequent years. In males, the largest improvements were recorded in pull-ups, squats, and the Cooper test (r = 0.49–0.65), while females showed the strongest progression in flexed arm hang, sit-ups, and sprinting (r = 0.48–0.59). Conclusion: The findings confirm that a long-term, systematically structured training program leads to substantial improvements in physical performance in both sexes. Comparable relative improvements between genders further support the effectiveness of a unified training curriculum, while the inclusion of diverse training modules provided balanced development for the multidimensional demands of tactical professions.</ns3:p>