Fitness Levels of Firefighter Recruits Before and After a Supervised Exercise Training Program

Abstract

Federal law prohibits pre-employment physical examination of firefighter recruits, but these workers must perform intense exercise in arduous environments. Components of physical fitness of rookie firefighters (n = 115; 104 men, mean +/- SD: age = 28.3 +/- 4.3 years; height = 1.76 +/- 0.07 m; weight = 83.2 +/- 13.9 kg; percent body fat = 17 +/- 8%) were measured upon being hired and following a 16-week exercise training program (1 h.d(-1), 3 d.wk(-1)) designed to improve physical fitness. Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) was estimated from submaximal cycle ergometry, body composition from skinfold tests, flexibility from a sit and reach test, strength by hand grip dynamometry, and muscle endurance by a push-up test. The results are as follows (*, p <or= 0.007 vs. pretraining): VO2max increased by 28% (35 +/- 7 to 45 +/- 6* ml.kg(-1).min(-1), 88 +/- 20 to 113 +/- 17%* of predicted increase); muscle endurance increased (41 +/- 13 to 51 +/- 14* push-ups); flexibility increased (0.34 +/- 0.07 to 0.35 +/- 0.07* m); muscle strength tended to increase (102.9 +/- 18.7 to 105.4 +/- 18.7 kg, p = 0.06); body weight tended to decrease (83.2 +/- 13.9 to 82.7 +/- 13.2 kg, p = 0.06); lean tissue weight increased (68.8 +/- 9.9 to 69.9 +/- 9.5* kg); and fat weight decreased (14.6 +/- 8.0 to 13.0 +/- 7.1* kg). We concluded that aerobic capacity was 20% lower before training than that deemed sufficient for safe performance of fire suppression duties; that training improved aerobic capacity by 28%, decreased fat and increased lean tissue weight, and increased/tended to increase other components of physical fitness. Prior to initiation of this training program, aerobic capacity of these firefighters was below that deemed appropriate for performing fire suppression duties. Training resulted in a large increase in aerobic capacity, so that the trainees ended the program with an aerobic capacity considered appropriate for fighting fires. It is hoped that the results of this study will encourage those who oversee workers who are responsible for the public's safety to mandate assessment of physical fitness of new hires, with mandatory participation in exercise training for those new hires who are found to possess less than appropriate aerobic capacity.

Functional fitness improvements after a worksite-based yoga initiative

“…Within the past few decades, there has been growing interest in promoting physical fitness for firefighters (Garver et al, 2005). General health promotion (Barnard and Anthony, 1980) and exercise programs (Adams et al, 1986;Barnard and Anthony, 1980;Roberts et al, 2002) have noted improvements in physical fitness. Research has also found correlations between overall physical fitness and performance of job-related (functional) tests (Punakallio et al, 2004;Rhea et al, 2004).…”

Do Italian fire fighting recruits have an adequate physical fitness profile for fire fighting?

“…While in 1975 a VO 2max >33 ml/kg/min was recommended for fire fighters [1], more recent research [4,19,20] suggested higher values of aerobic power (VO 2max >45 ml/kg/min) to successfully complete firefighting interventions [21]. On the other hand, few indications are available regarding the standards needed for strength to safely meet the demand of the most strenuous fire-fighting tasks such as a lifting, pulling, working and carrying objects [4,22,23].…”

“Get Firefighters Moving”: Marketing a Physical Fitness Intervention to Reduce Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in Full-Time Firefighters

“…Participants will continue to be followed at 6-month intervals for an additional 18 months to determine how fitness and injury outcomes are affected long term. This is a strong benefit of the study design, as long-term effectiveness of many fire service fitness and injury interventions are often unknown (Cady et al, 1985;Conrad et al, 2005;Roberts et al, 2002).…”

“…And although firefighter physical fitness levels are comparable to those of the general population, both current firefighters and new recruits often do not possess the level necessary for the rigors of the occupation (Guidotti, 1992;Roberts, O'Dea, Boyce, & Mannix, 2002;Swank, Adams, Barnard, Berning, & Stamford, 2001). Firefighters as an occupational group also have a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, obesity, hypertension, and high total cholesterol (Byczek, Walton, Conrad, Reichelt, & Samo, 2004;Guidotti, 1992Guidotti, , 1995, and there is consistent evidence that inadequate physical fitness places firefighters at direct risk for a cardiac event, and indirectly through elevated body mass index (BMI), triglyceride levels, and blood pressure (Byczek et al, 2004;Kales et al, 1998Kales et al, , 1999.…”

“…To date, researchers have targeted physical fitness with mixed success, as interventions have demonstrated reduction in CHD risk only in the short term (Cady, Thomas, & Karwasky, 1985;Conrad, Reichelt, Lavender, Meyer, & Gacki-Smith, 2005;Roberts et al, 2002). Additionally, fire service organizations such as the International Association of Fire Fighters=International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFF=IAFC) have developed national joint labor-management programs such as the Wellness-Fitness Initiative (IAFF, 1999) to actively assist fire departments in developing more holistic physical fitness programs to reduce cardiovascular injuries.…”