Operational tactical uniforms promote body schema underestimation and musculoskeletal discomfort in Brazilian male special operations police officers

Background: Tactical police officers are routinely exposed to high occupational demands and external load carriage resulting from operational uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE). Although PPE is essential for operational safety, its effects on body schema perception and musculoskeletal discomfort remain poorly understood in elite police populations. Objective: To investigate the effects of operational uniforms and PPE on body schema perception and musculoskeletal discomfort in special operations police officers. Methods: Fifteen police officers were evaluated under two experimental conditions, physical training uniform (PTU) and operational uniform with PPE (OU). Musculoskeletal discomfort was assessed using the Corlett and Manenica Body Map, while body schema perception was evaluated using the Image Marking Procedure and Body Perception Index (BPI). Results: military officers age was 37.57 ± 6.08 years, time service of 13.33 ± 5.99 years and elevated body mass index 28.49 ± 3.60 kg/m2. An additional load of 14.79 ± 1.83 kg Operational uniforms increased external body load and significantly elevated musculoskeletal discomfort scores across most body regions (p < 0.05). In addition, body schema perception significantly decreased under the operational condition, demonstrating body dimension underestimation and predominance of hypo-schematism. Conclusion: Operational uniforms and PPE promoted increased musculoskeletal discomfort and altered body schema perception in tactical police officers, potentially affecting occupational safety and operational performance.