Differences in Stronger Versus Weaker Firefighters in Selected Measures of Power.

Firefighters are required to perform a wide array of physically demanding job tasks, such as forcible entry, charged hose advances and victim extractions. An adequate level of muscular strength and power are required to successfully perform these tasks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in stronger and weaker firefighters in measures of power. Archived data for twenty-seven (age = 34.3 ± 7.9 yr, body height = 176.3 ± 7.2 cm, body mass = 89.4 ± 15.7 kg) full-time firefighters were analyzed. Participants were placed into one of two groups [i.e., stronger (HIGH) (n = 13) and weaker (LOW) (n = 14)], based on their relative isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTPr) performance. Power measures included counter-movement jump (CMJ) height, and peak anaerobic power in watts (PAPW). Significant mean score differences were not discovered between HIGH and LOW IMTPr groups on any measures of lower-body power. Moderate positive correlations were observed between IMTP and CMJ (r = .519; p = .01). This study identified significant differences in absolute and relative strength between firefighters who were able to lift at least 2.0× their bodyweight versus those who were not. Additionally, absolute strength (as assessed by the IMTP) was significantly and positively correlated to CMJ height when compared to their weaker counterparts. These findings may provide insight into approaches for improving occupational performance and durability through the physical development of firefighters via strength and conditioning programs which focus on developing absolute strength, relative strength, and power.

A Submaximal Field Test of Aerobic Capacity does not Accurately Reflect VO2max in Career Firefighters.

Adequate aerobic capacity is crucial to maintaining firefighter safety. The purpose of this study was to compare predicted VO2max scores from a submaximal and maximal step test. Eighteen career male firefighters from a medium sized urban municipality completed both a submaximal Forestry step test and a maximal laboratory WFI step test. A lack of association (p = .017) and low level of agreement (p = .015) was determined between step test protocols producing a mean bias of ± 5.61 mL.kg-1/min-1 with most scores being overestimated. Use of the Forestry step test to predict true VO2max in firefighters should be used with caution when classifying firefighter fitness.

The Effects of Firefighter Equipment and Gear on the Static and Dynamic Postural Stability of Fire Cadets.

BACKGROUND: Slips, trips, falls, and jumps were the second leading cause of injuries at the fireground. RESEARCH QUESTION: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of firefighter equipment and gear (EQG) on postural stability and determine if load per kg of body mass (L/BM) is associated with postural stability. METHODS: 26 male fire cadets (26.15 ±â€¯4.16 yr., 178.92 ±â€¯6.92 cm, 86.61 ±â€¯9.09 kg) were included in the analyses. Participants performed 3 single-leg landings (SLL) with and without EQG. The first 3 seconds of ground reaction forces following initial ground contact were used to calculate dynamic postural stability index (DPSI). Participants completed 2 static balance tasks (normal stability and limits of stability (LoS)) with and without EQG. Main outcome measures were overall LoS score (LoSS), direction-specific LoSS, and LoS distance (cm) of COP excursion (LoSD) in the anterior, posterior, right, and left directions. Separate paired-samples t-tests were run to determine the differences between load conditions for DPSI, overall LoSS, direction-specific LoSS, and LoSD in all directions. Bivariate correlations were conducted to determine the relationship of L/BM to DPSI, overall LoSS, and LoSS and LoSD in the anterior, posterior, right and left directions. RESULTS: Due to the use of multiple statistical tests, a Bonferroni correction was used, and the alpha level of .05 was adjusted to .005. DPSI was significantly higher loaded than unloaded, t(25) = -13.965, p < .001, d = 7.032, 95% CI, -0.133 to -0.099. No other comparisons were significant. A significant strong positive correlation (r(24) = .665, p < .001) was observed between L/BM and DPSI. No other correlations were significant. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that firefighter EQG may significantly impact a cadet's ability to maintain postural stability while performing their duties.

The effectiveness of the functional movement screen in determining injury risk in tactical occupations.

Injures are common in workers engaged in tactical occupations. Research suggests that the functional movement screen (FMS) may provide practitioners the ability to identify tactical athletes most at risk for injury. However, there exists controversy as to the effectiveness of the FMS as a tool for classifying injury risk. The purpose of the meta-analysis was to determine the predictive value of the FMS in determining injury risk in workers engaged in tactical occupations. We searched MEDLINE, Military and Government Collection (EBSCO), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Technical Information Center and PubMed databases for articles published between January 2000 and October 2017 [corrected]. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Multiple random-effects model meta-analyses were conducted, with an odds ratio as the effects metric. FMS cut-off score, occupation, injury type and sex were used as moderators for the analyses. The odds of injury were greatest for tactical athletes with FMS scores ≤14. Personnel scoring ≤14 had almost 2 times the odds of injury as compared to those scoring >14. However, the magnitude of the effects were small; thus the relationship between FMS cut scores and injury prediction does not support its use as a sole predictor of injury.

The Influence of Body Armor on Balance and Movement Quality.

Body armor is essential to the protection of military personnel; however, body armor may impede the users balance and movement quality. A better understanding of the influence of body armor on balance and movement quality may help in the development of new guidelines for training standards and procedures to mitigate the risk of injury associated with wearing of body armor in warfighters. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of body armor (combat boots, tactical vest and combat helmet) on balance and movement quality in male military cadets and personnel. Twelve male participants completed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) under two separate conditions, body armor and non-body armor. Results indicated a significant difference in FMS composite score between the non-body armor and body armor conditions (p =.012), with the non-body armor condition resulting in significantly higher FMS scores than the body armor condition. Additionally, the FMS item score for shoulder mobility was significantly higher (2.25±0.62) in the non-body armor condition than the body armor condition (p= 0.03). The SEBT composite and the three individual reach distances were not significantly different between conditions. Based on the current findings, body armor within a 4.8 kg - 5.3 kg range does appear to impact movement quality as evaluated using the FMS in male military personnel and cadets. More research is needed to determine a threshold of compensatory movement patterns relative to an increase in body armor weight.