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

Peter Beitia (), Andreas Stamatis, Tal Amasay and Zacharias Papadakis ()
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Peter Beitia: Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health Promotion and Clinical Practice, College of Health and Wellness, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL 33161, USA
Andreas Stamatis: Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, USA
Tal Amasay: Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health Promotion and Clinical Practice, College of Health and Wellness, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL 33161, USA
Zacharias Papadakis: Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health Promotion and Clinical Practice, College of Health and Wellness, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL 33161, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-21

Abstract: 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 (F 2,13 = 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.

Keywords: tactical athlete; load carriage; PPE; SCBA; tactical performance; physical fitness; psychological components; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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