Physical activity and depression practice in military police officers

The military police officers during their work assignments has to be in full disposition and vigilant to all situations that may be a risk to everyone. Due to social pressures, psychological, work demands, and high stress levels, is becoming more common the diagnosis of depression in military police officers. The present study aims to evaluate the practice of physical activities and the diagnosis of depression in military police officers in Vitória da Conquista. This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional and quantitative research. The present study was made with the volunteer participation of 165 police officers of both genders, all were informed about the research’s risks and benefits and accepted to participate answering to the questionnaires that were selected to the diagnosis of depression and practice of physical activity. In analysis of the 165 military police officers was verified that 87,27% were males. 64,85% were classified as active according the IPAQ and the major part, 75,15%, were not diagnosed with depression. Most of them were between 25 to 34 years old (43%) and between 35 and 44 years old (44,24%). The index of depressive police officers was low, however, is perceptive that a high number of professionals needs psychological help, even those who are active, demonstrating that a stressful job is a major factor to the development of mental disorders in police officers.