Validity of submaximal aerobic capacity and strength tests in firefighters.
Occup Med (Lond)
; 74(2): 161-166, 2024 04 03.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38381669
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Typically, the fitness of UK firefighters is assessed via submaximal estimate methods due to the low demands on time, money, expertise and equipment. However, the firefighter-specific validity of such testing in relation to maximum aerobic capacity (VËO2max) and particularly muscular strength is not well established.AIMS:
To examine the validity of submaximal methods to estimate VËO2max and maximal strength in operational firefighters.METHODS:
Twenty-two full-time operational firefighters (3 female) completed same-day submaximal (Chester Step Test; CST) and maximal (treadmill) assessments of VËO2max, with a sub-sample of 10 firefighters (1 female) also completing submaximal and maximal back-squat (i.e. one repetition maximum; 1RM) assessments. All participants then completed the Firefighter Simulation Test (FFST) within 2-4 days.RESULTS:
CST underestimated actual VËO2max by 1.4 ml·kg-1·min-1 (~3%), although VËO2max values were positively correlated (râ =â 0.61, Pâ <â 0.01) and not significantly different. Estimated VËO2max values negatively correlated with FFST performance (râ =â -0.42). Predicted 1RM underestimated actual 1RM by ~2%, although these values were significantly correlated (râ =â 0.99, Pâ <â 0.001) and did not significantly differ. The strongest predictive model of FFST performance included age, body mass index, and direct maximal measures of 1RM and VËO2max.CONCLUSIONS:
Submaximal back-squat testing offers good validity in estimating maximum firefighter strength without exposure to the fatigue associated with maximal methods. The CST provides a reasonably valid and cost-effective VËO2max estimate which translates to firefighting task performance, although the error observed means it should be used cautiously when making operational decisions related to VËO2max benchmarks.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Aptidão Física
/
Bombeiros
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Occup Med (Lond)
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido