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Course detail: Flexibility for First Responders: Stretching Your Way to Increased Mobility
Course Description:
First Responders are exposed to a diverse range of physical demands which can include anything from sitting long hours in a patrol car and suddenly being called to action with little notice, standing and walking for long hours, unpredictable physical encounters and etc. These types of demands are incredibly taxing, both physically and physiologically.
Flexibility often does not come to mind for many until an injury occurs and the rehabilitation process starts. Flexibility allows your body to move and exert force properly and efficiently. This course will focus on main issues facing first responders in terms of flexibility from the demands of their jobs. The issues covered will be flexibility in neck, shoulders, back, hips, ankles, and feet. A pre- and post-stretching test will be completed to give students an idea of what their limitations are and where they need to spend time improving flexibility. Stretches will be demonstrated and the class will then complete the stretches together. A 6-week stretching routine will be given to students to complete after the course to continue their work with improving flexibility.
Participants will be asked to participate in a pre- and post-stretching test as well as week one stretching assignment so they will need to wear clothes that enable full body movement without restrictions (work-out clothes should not be revealing).
Core Competencies:
- Participants will support their wellness and resilience with skills learned in the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional areas required of all first responders.
Course Objectives:
- Define flexibility
- Identify and understand two types of flexibility: dynamic and static
- Demonstrate/complete the correct stretching movements
- Learn how to test your own flexibility by completing the pre- and post-stretching test
- Understand safety concerns involved with stretching
Instructional Methods:
- Lecture
- Discussion
- Whole class participation in the stretching routine during the class
Who Should Attend:
- Law Enforcement Officers
- Fire Fighters
- EMS
- Dispatch, etc.
Course Requirements:
- 100% Attendance
- Complete the pre- and post-stretching test and group stretching routine.
- Complete a pre- and post-survey at the beginning and end of class and hand it in at the end of the class.
Fitness Requirement and Expectation of Physical Risk:
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in an event, please email KLETC or call 620.694.1400 at least three weeks before the first day of the event. Some events may require notice earlier than three weeks and require you contact a specific individual; if so, that information is provided in the event-specific information.
