Physical Fitness of an Industrial Fire Department vs. a Municipal Fire Department

GARVER, JULIE N.; Jankovitz, Kristine Z.; Danks, Jane M.; Fittz, Ashley A.; Smith, Henry Nash; Davis, Steven C.

doi:10.1519/r-14934.1

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…This is probably due to the high average age of our sample group (44.9 ± 4.7). Numerous studies (11,18,36) have sought to determine an adequate level of VO 2max for firefighters because it is an important factor influencing their ability to perform their aerobically demanding jobs safely and effectively. Indeed, the International Association of Firefighters (2000) has recommended that firefighters be able to reach a maximal oxygen uptake of at least 42 ml•kg -1…”

Section: A C C E P T E Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple Method to Analyze Overall Individual Physical Fitness in Firefighters

Calavalle

Sisti

Mennelli

et al. 2013

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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The aim of this study was to identify the main components that determine firefighters' level of physical fitness using a stair-climbing test. The age, weight, height, body fat, and VO(2max) of the firefighters were recorded before the trial, and percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR) was recorded during the stair climbing. Nonlinear modeling of HRR time series and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the data to isolate a small number of variables that quantify overall individual physical fitness. The HRR was represented as a function of time using the sum of linear and trigonometric functions. Four main factors that influence performance, obtained from PCA analysis, emerged (78.2% of total explained variance): the capacity to carry the extra load (22.8% of total variance); the effect of body fat (19.6% of total variance); the influence of age in the task (19.3% of total variance); and the overall fitness level (16.4% of total variance). This approach allowed us to make a rapid assessment of each subject's fitness level. Such an assessment could be used in planning individualized functional training programs to improve each firefighter's job performance and reduce injuries and hence save time, energy, and financial resources.

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Section: A C C E P T E Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple Method to Analyze Overall Individual Physical Fitness in Firefighters

Calavalle

Sisti

Mennelli

et al. 2013

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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“…Recent research suggests that currently a high proportion of US fire stations are not following the recommendations for maintaining health and fitness of firefighters set by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). A number of studies have shown that US firefighters have a level of physical fitness which is incompatible with the highly physical demands of firefighting . It has been reported that over 75% of US firefighters are overweight, of which 33.5% are obese, many do not meet the proposed levels of cardiorespiratory fitness of 12 metabolic equivalents of aerobic capacity, and a small percentage of firefighters achieve recommended levels of aerobic and resistance exercise per week (35% and 50%, respectively) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of exercise interventions on health and fitness of firefighters: A meta‐analysis

Andrews

Gallagher

Herring

2019

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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Objective The present review synthesized the available empirical evidence to provide support of the effectiveness and feasibility of exercise interventions for improving health and fitness of firefighters. Methods Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before May 2018 were located using Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. RCTs involved 462 (18 Females) active‐duty firefighters, an exercise intervention, and reported changes in health and/or fitness. Hedges’ d effect sizes quantified the magnitude of the effects of exercise compared to control conditions. Aggregated mean effects for differential modes of exercise (aerobic exercise training (AET), resistance exercise training (RET), or combined (AET + RET)) were also calculated. Random effects models were used for all analyses. Results Exercise significantly improved body fat percentage (Δ = 0.52, [95% CI: 0.16‐0.88] z = 2.81, P = 0.005, k = 4), aerobic capacity (Δ = 1.20, [0.52‐1.87] z = 3.48, P = 0.000, k = 8), endurance (Δ = 1.74, [0.94‐2.53] z = 4.03, P = 0.000, k = 10), strength (Δ = 1.27, [0.42‐2.11] z = 2.93, P = 0.003, k = 9), and power (Δ = 1.02, [0.52‐1.52] z = 4.00, P = 0.000, k = 2). Specifically, RET improved body fat percentage (Δ = 0.87, [0.38‐1.36] z = 3.47, P = 0.000, k = 2), aerobic capacity (Δ = 3.06, [2.37‐3.75] z = 8.65, P = 0.000, k = 2), endurance (Δ = 2.79, [1.48‐4.09] z = 4.19, P = 0.000, k = 6), strength (Δ = 1.44, [0.49‐2.39] z = 2.97, P = 0.002, k = 8), and power (Δ = 1.02, [0.52‐1.52] z = 3.99, P = 0.000, k = 2), while AET improved aerobic capacity (Δ = 0.69, [0.24‐1.15] z = 3.01, P = 0.000, k = 3), and AET + RET improved aerobic capacity (Δ = 0.52, [0.15‐0.89] z = 2.78, P = 0.005, k = 3) and endurance (Δ = 0.44, [0.19‐0.70] z = 3.41, P = 0.000, k = 3). Conclusions The present results provide evidence of the positive effects of exercise interventions, particularly RET, to improve outcomes of health and fitness associated with superior job performance and reduced risk of injury and CVD.

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“…Firefighting operations include a wide range of work-related activities and movements that occur with varying frequency and intensity [6]–[9]. Firefighters are assumed to be well prepared to perform all associated work tasks, and several work tasks, including carrying equipment up stairs, smoke diving with a breathing apparatus (BA firefighting), and victim rescue are by firefighters rated as physically demanding [7]–[10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory or Field Tests for Evaluating Firefighters' Work Capacity?

2014

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Muscle strength is important for firefighters work capacity. Laboratory tests used for measurements of muscle strength, however, are complicated, expensive and time consuming. The aims of the present study were to investigate correlations between physical capacity within commonly occurring and physically demanding firefighting work tasks and both laboratory and field tests in full time (N = 8) and part-time (N = 10) male firefighters and civilian men (N = 8) and women (N = 12), and also to give recommendations as to which field tests might be useful for evaluating firefighters' physical work capacity. Laboratory tests of isokinetic maximal (IM) and endurance (IE) muscle power and dynamic balance, field tests including maximal and endurance muscle performance, and simulated firefighting work tasks were performed. Correlations with work capacity were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs). The highest significant (p<0.01) correlations with laboratory and field tests were for Cutting: IE trunk extension (rs = 0.72) and maximal hand grip strength (rs = 0.67), for Stairs: IE shoulder flexion (rs = −0.81) and barbell shoulder press (rs = −0.77), for Pulling: IE shoulder extension (rs = −0.82) and bench press (rs = −0.85), for Demolition: IE knee extension (rs = 0.75) and bench press (rs = 0.83), for Rescue: IE shoulder flexion (rs = −0.83) and bench press (rs = −0.82), and for the Terrain work task: IE trunk flexion (rs = −0.58) and upright barbell row (rs = −0.70). In conclusion, field tests may be used instead of laboratory tests. Maximal hand grip strength, bench press, chin ups, dips, upright barbell row, standing broad jump, and barbell shoulder press were strongly correlated (rs≥0.7) with work capacity and are therefore recommended for evaluating firefighters work capacity.

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Physical Fitness of an Industrial Fire Department vs. a Municipal Fire Department

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

A Simple Method to Analyze Overall Individual Physical Fitness in Firefighters

A Simple Method to Analyze Overall Individual Physical Fitness in Firefighters

The effects of exercise interventions on health and fitness of firefighters: A meta‐analysis

Laboratory or Field Tests for Evaluating Firefighters' Work Capacity?

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