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Fitness Fights Fires: Exploring the Relationship between Physical Fitness and Firefighter Ability

Author

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  • Annmarie Chizewski

    (Department of Sport and Exercise Science, College of Education, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL 60532, USA)

  • Allyson Box

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

  • Richard Kesler

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Illinois Fire Service Institute, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

  • Steven J. Petruzzello

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Illinois Fire Service Institute, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

Abstract

Background : Regular exercise in firefighters may be effective in preventing or attenuating ill health (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and obesity), as well as improving their firefighting ability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and firefighting ability. Methods : Male firefighter recruits’ ( n = 89; age = 27.1 ± 4.2 yrs) physical fitness and firefighting ability were assessed at Week 1 and Week 7 during a basic firefighting training academy. Physical fitness was assessed via 1.5 mile run time, sit-up and push-up repetitions, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) bench press test, vertical jump height, and sit-and-reach flexibility, while firefighting ability was assessed via completion time on a firefighting skills test. Results: Fitness predicted significant variance in firefighting ability at Week 1 ( R 2 = 0.46; p < 0.01) and Week 7 ( R 2 = 0.46; p < 0.01), after accounting for age and body mass index. Cardiovascular endurance accounted for 22.4% ( F Δ (1, 85) = 25.75) and 39.3% ( F Δ (1, 85) = 55.53) while muscular endurance accounted for an additional 19.0% ( F Δ (3, 82) = 10.34) and 6.3% ( F Δ (3, 82) = 3.2) unique variance in firefighting ability at Week 1 and Week 7, respectively. Conclusions: Given the strong association between fitness and firefighting performance, municipal departments may want to focus on increasing fitness levels among firefighters.

Suggested Citation

  • Annmarie Chizewski & Allyson Box & Richard Kesler & Steven J. Petruzzello, 2021. "Fitness Fights Fires: Exploring the Relationship between Physical Fitness and Firefighter Ability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11733-:d:674816
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David J. Cornell & Stacy L. Gnacinski & Kyle T. Ebersole, 2021. "Functional Movement Quality of Firefighter Recruits: Longitudinal Changes from the Academy to Active-Duty Status," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jinjuta Panumasvivat & Wachiranun Sirikul & Vithawat Surawattanasakul & Kampanat Wangsan & Pheerasak Assavanopakun, 2023. "The Urgent Need for Cardiopulmonary Fitness Evaluation among Wildland Firefighters in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Tebogo Jenniffer Moselakgomo & Takalani Clearance Muluvhu & Merling Phaswana & Ina Shaw & Brandon S. Shaw, 2024. "Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Not Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional Study in South African Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(9), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Jaron Ras & Andre P. Kengne & Denise L. Smith & Elpidoforos S. Soteriades & Lloyd Leach, 2023. "Association between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-27, February.
    4. Jaron Ras & Denise L. Smith & Elpidoforos S. Soteriades & Andre P. Kengne & Lloyd Leach, 2023. "Association between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-23, May.
    5. Luiz Guilherme Grossi Porto & Edgard M. K. V. K. Soares & Sushant M. Ranadive & Adriana Lofrano-Porto & Denise L. Smith, 2024. "Association of Endogenous Testosterone with Physical Fitness Measures during Firefighter Occupational Health Evaluations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Annmarie Chizewski & Allyson Box & Richard M. Kesler & Steven J. Petruzzello, 2021. "High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) Improves Fitness in Recruit Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.

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      fitness; firefighters; health;
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