Physical Fitness Evaluation of Career Urban and Wildland Firefighters

Houck, Jonathan; Mermier, Christine M.; Beltz, Nicholas M.; Johnson, Kelly E.; VanDusseldorp, Trisha A.; Escobar, Kurt A.; Gibson, Ann L.

doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000001873

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 44 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Hauschild et al [ 25 ], in a systematic review of correlations between fitness tests and discrete occupational tasks amongst 27 different studies within the tactical athlete population (13 military population; 10 FF, law enforcement, or peace officer; and 4 healthy civilian populations), found that HG dynamometry test was strongly correlated ( r ≥ 0.5) with one-quarter (i.e., lift and lower [single] task with r = 0.67, p < 0.05; lift and lower [repeated] task with r = 0.59, p < 0.05; stretcher carry task with r = 0.61, p < 0.05) of the 12 occupational tasks categories by which the authors examined relationships with it. However, the mean maximal HG strength in studies of FFs’ work capacity range from 47 to 61 kg for men, showing that the maximal HG strength in our current research study (33.1 kg ± 7.8 kg) does not fall within norms of previous research studies [ 32 , 40 , 52 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]. Such discrepancy may be explained by the fact that, in our protocol, FFs wore their full occupational firefighting gear including their tactical gloves, while the prior research studies either did not use PPE, used parts of it, or did not use a control trial.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 64%

“…Stair climbing protocols have been used amongst researchers to assess anaerobic performance in various tactical athlete populations, including FFs [ 24 , 32 , 61 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. Clarke [ 24 ] introduced a tower climb test (TCT) to assess anaerobic performance in urban FFs and found that staircase protocols provided an occupationally specific mean by which to measure anaerobic performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Predicting Firefighters’ Physical Ability Test Scores from Anaerobic Fitness Parameters & Mental Toughness Levels

Beitia

Stamatis

Amasay

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Physical ability test (PAT) evaluates firefighters’ (FF) occupational capacity. The contribution of anaerobic systems during PAT and mental toughness (MT) relationship to PAT is unexplored. PAT modeling based on anaerobic fitness (AF), MT, and respective relationships were examined. Fourteen male FFs (Age: 29.0 ± 7.0 years) completed a PAT composed of occupationally-specific tasks in full gear. On a separate day, a series of AF assessments were performed (handgrip-dynamometry: HG; vertical-jump: VJ; Margaria-Kalamen: MK; 300-yard shuttle run: 300YD). MT was evaluated using military training MT inventory (MTMTI) and sports MT questionnaire (SMTQ). We tested the PAT model using multiple backward regression and related correlations coefficients at p < 0.05. A 78% proportion of PAT was explained by AF parameters (F2,13 = 20.2, <0.05). PAT was significantly correlated with HG (r = −0.71, p < 0.01), VJ (r = −0.73, p < 0.01), MK (r = −0.75, p < 0.01), and with 300YD (r = 0.60, p < 0.05). MT did not demonstrate significant correlation with PAT (p > 0.01). Anaerobic system significantly contributes to PAT performance. FFs should optimize AF training, which would allow for enhanced occupational performance in PAT. Further investigation into psychological determinants of FFs is recommended.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 64%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting Firefighters’ Physical Ability Test Scores from Anaerobic Fitness Parameters & Mental Toughness Levels

Beitia

Stamatis

Amasay

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Additionally, several studies have reported relationships between muscular strength, power, and anaerobic endurance with a firefighter’s ability to perform essential occupational tasks such as a victim drag, equipment hoist, ladder carry, stair climbing, and hose deployment [ 245–247 ]. Thus, high levels of both aerobic and muscular fitness have been recommended for adequate occupational performance for both structural and wildland firefighters [ 248 ].…”

Section: Part 2 – First Respondersmentioning

confidence: 99%

International society of sports nutrition position stand: tactical athlete nutrition

Gonzalez

McAllister

Waldman

et al. 2022

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This position stand aims to provide an evidence-based summary of the energy and nutritional demands of tactical athletes to promote optimal health and performance while keeping in mind the unique challenges faced due to work schedules, job demands, and austere environments. After a critical analysis of the literature, the following nutritional guidelines represent the position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). General Recommendations Nutritional considerations should include the provision and timing of adequate calories, macronutrients, and fluid to meet daily needs as well as strategic nutritional supplementation to improve physical, cognitive, and occupational performance outcomes; reduce risk of injury, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease; reduce the potential for a fatal mistake; and promote occupational readiness. Military Recommendations Energy demands should be met by utilizing the Military Dietary Reference Intakes (MDRIs) established and codified in Army Regulation 40-25. Although research is somewhat limited, military personnel may also benefit from caffeine, creatine monohydrate, essential amino acids, protein, omega-3-fatty acids, beta-alanine, and L-tyrosine supplementation, especially during high-stress conditions. First Responder Recommendations Specific energy needs are unknown and may vary depending on occupation-specific tasks. It is likely the general caloric intake and macronutrient guidelines for recreational athletes or the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges for the general healthy adult population may benefit first responders. Strategies such as implementing wellness policies, setting up supportive food environments, encouraging healthier food systems, and using community resources to offer evidence-based nutrition classes are inexpensive and potentially meaningful ways to improve physical activity and diet habits. The following provides a more detailed overview of the literature and recommendations for these populations.

show abstract

“…28 Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance have been reported to decrease throughout their careers and as they age, particularly those that are physically inactive. [29][30][31][32][33][34] Maintenance of good overall levels of health-related physical fitness is crucial for career longevity and overall well-being in firefighters. 2 35 36 In addition, firefighters have been reported to have the highest incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among all emergency services personnel.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Health-related physical fitness includes body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility 28. Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance have been reported to decrease throughout their careers and as they age, particularly those that are physically inactive 29–34. Maintenance of good overall levels of health-related physical fitness is crucial for career longevity and overall well-being in firefighters 2 35 36…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionFirefighting is a hazardous occupation, where firefighters are involved in life-threatening situations, being placed under tremendous physical strain, while wearing heavy and insulated equipment to protect them from chemicals, fumes and high temperatures. This necessitates that firefighter stay in good physical condition and maintain adequate cardiovascular fitness to cope with these stressors and perform their duties with minimal health risks. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the effect of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on the occupational performance of firefighters.Methods and analysisAll study types and designs will be included and appraised. The following electronic databases will be searched: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCOHost and CINAHL, with no restrictions on publication date. The literature search will be conducted comprehensively to enable the capturing of as many relevant articles as possible but will be limited to English-language papers only. A combination of the appropriate terms (search string) will be used to ensure the inclusion of the relevant components of the participants, exposure, comparison and outcome. A researcher-generated form with the key characteristics of each study will be used to retrieve all relevant details from the selected studies for initial eligibility screening. The Rayyan Intelligent Systematic Review tool will be used to screen and select studies for inclusion, and information from the included studies will be captured on the researcher-generated data extraction form. The The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS) checklist and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme toolkit will be used to conduct the methodological assessment of each study. Data will be analysed using Review Manager V.5.3. Generated results will be presented using a combination of figures, graphs and tables. The synthesis of quantitative data (using a meta-analysis methodology) will involve the integration of quantitative findings from multiple studies to achieve coherence.Ethics and disseminationThis study obtained ethical clearance from the University of the Western Cape Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BM21/10/9). We will disseminate the findings of in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences. The protocol will form part of a chapter for a doctoral thesis.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021258898.

show abstract

Physical Fitness Evaluation of Career Urban and Wildland Firefighters

Cited by 15 publications

References 44 publications

Predicting Firefighters’ Physical Ability Test Scores from Anaerobic Fitness Parameters & Mental Toughness Levels

Predicting Firefighters’ Physical Ability Test Scores from Anaerobic Fitness Parameters & Mental Toughness Levels

International society of sports nutrition position stand: tactical athlete nutrition

Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About