Research Articles · 2025
AGILITY IN ACTION: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF POLICE OFFICERS IN FITNESS PROGRAM
Authors: UGOS, PRINCE HAYNER, TANUCAN, DANIEL PHILIPS V., BUGAS, JHON ULLYESE O., BASALAN, JOHN PAUL F., EREDERA, MARYNIEL Z., INTING, JEMARC
ABSTRACT This study explored the lived experiences of police officers participating in the fitness program at Toril Police Station in Davao City. The research aimed to understand how physical fitness programs influence officers’ physical condition, mental resilience, professional readiness, and overall well-being in the context of law enforcement duties. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design, the study gathered data from eight police officers through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis guided by Colaizzi’s phenomenological method and anchored on Self-Determination Theory. The study sought to capture the officers’ personal experiences, challenges, coping strategies, and perceptions regarding their participation in the fitness program. The findings revealed five major themes: Physical Health and Fitness Benefits, Mental Health and Psychological Resilience, Professional Readiness and Duty Performance, Camaraderie and Team Unity, and Challenges and Coping Strategies. Participants described how the fitness program improved their stamina, strength, body conditioning, discipline, emotional balance, and operational readiness. The program also fostered teamwork and stronger relationships among personnel while serving as a coping mechanism for stress and occupational demands. However, officers also encountered challenges such as fatigue, time constraints, scheduling conflicts, and personal health limitations. An emerging theme identified in the study was “Fitness as Operational Readiness in Law Enforcement,†highlighting that officers viewed physical fitness not merely as a personal activity but as a professional necessity essential for effective police service and public safety. Keywords: Physical Fitness, Agility, Police Officers, Lived Experiences, Operational Readiness, Toril Police Station, Davao City.
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