Functional Training in Portuguese Firefighters

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the influence of specific functional training (FT) with and without personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), on firefighters (FFs) physical fitness condition. Methods: Sixty FFs run a 24 weeks intervention, divided into three groups (EG1 training with PPE+SCBA; EG2 training with regular equipment, and Control Group). FFs anthropometric and physical fitness (PF) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: Significant differences were found between the training groups and control group. Both training groups interventions were effective in improving PF and lean mass. However, EG1 presented a higher percentage of improvement. Conclusion: This 24-week FT intervention improved participants’ muscle strength, endurance, and power, and it led to increases in lean body mass. Regularly FT with PPE+SCBA helps FFs maintain a healthy general physical condition and develop optimum fitness levels related to firefighting specific tasks, specially torso muscular endurance.

Firefighters Cardiorespiratory Fitness Parameters after 24 Weeks of Functional Training with and without Personal Protective Equipment

“…If heat stress is a concern, alternative methods such as increasing load carriage, with a weighted vest or just wearing the SCBA without turnout gear, may be considered. This kind of training helps FFs maintain a healthy general physical condition and develop fitness attributes that are associated with occupational performance [16].…”

“…However, several minutes of rest must be given between sets and repetitions, which does not optimize the stress in the anaerobic and aerobic energy systems, as is the case during real events [15]. In contrast, shortterm functional training (FT), which is characterized by short rest periods and relatively high intensity, can place energy production systems in a state of physiological stress that is closer to those that are experienced during real firefighting tasks [16]. FT may be a growing field in intervention to investigate as it attempts to adapt or develop exercises close to a specific task, involving multi-planar, coordinated, and multi-articular movements.…”

“…FT may be a growing field in intervention to investigate as it attempts to adapt or develop exercises close to a specific task, involving multi-planar, coordinated, and multi-articular movements. As such, little is known about strategies that might make fitness training more effective [16].…”

Entrenamiento Funcional en Rehabilitación. ¿De qué estamos hablando?

“…Las características del concepto de entrenamiento funcional que cuentan con un mayor consenso son: a) se incluyen actividades que requieren movimientos multiplanares; b) participan múltiples grupos musculares; y, c) requieren una coordinación simultánea del movimiento (Liu et al, 2014;Roy, 2014;Boyle, 2016;Santana, 2016;Feito et al, 2018;Stenger, 2018;Chen et al, 2020;Da Silva-Grigoletto et al, 2020b;Gali et al, 2021;Lajoso-Silva et al, 2021).…”

Procesos selectivos de bomberos: revisión de las convocatorias con pruebas físicas en España

“…El trabajo de bombero exige una importante preparación física (Pomohaci & Sopa, 2020;Lajoso-Silva et al, 2021), pues las condiciones en las que tendrán que desenvolverse son muy cambiantes y exigentes, con gran influencia en la capacidad de respuesta fisiológica y motriz. Una característica de los métodos de entrenamiento actuales es el establecimiento de tareas de riesgo múltiple y variable, que ayude a mejorar el desempeño de las tareas bajo en un medio incierto.…”