Association of Physical and Emotional Parameters with Performance of Firefighters: A Systematic Review

Vinícius Montaguti Farinha, Edilson Fernando de Borba, Poliana Piovezana dos Santos, Anderson Zampier Ulbrich, Evaldo José Ferreira Ribeiro and Marcus Peikriszwili Tartaruga ()
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Vinícius Montaguti Farinha: Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraná-UFPR, Curitiba 81530-000, PR, Brazil
Edilson Fernando de Borba: Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraná-UFPR, Curitiba 81530-000, PR, Brazil
Poliana Piovezana dos Santos: Human Movement Sciences, University of the State of Santa Catarina-UDESC, Florianópolis 88035-901, SC, Brazil
Anderson Zampier Ulbrich: Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraná-UFPR, Curitiba 81530-000, PR, Brazil
Evaldo José Ferreira Ribeiro: Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraná-UFPR, Curitiba 81530-000, PR, Brazil
Marcus Peikriszwili Tartaruga: Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraná-UFPR, Curitiba 81530-000, PR, Brazil

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-21

Abstract: Firefighting requires a high level of physical fitness and causes substantial psychological stress, engendering musculoskeletal, mental, and cardiac issues. Consequently, it is necessary to measure the preparation of the firefighters daily through the Firefighting Physical Ability Tests (FPATs). According to the literature, some variables are more important for performance in the FPAT. Therefore, we aimed to summarize evidence that relates physical and mental aspects to the FPAT performance. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method, screening 1055 records from databases and selecting 15 that met inclusion criteria. No emotional and psychological variables were correlated with the FPAT. Most research shows significant correlations between the FPAT performance and the following: aerobic fitness, upper body endurance and strength, anaerobic capacity, body fat, and age. Lower body endurance and strength, as well as anaerobic power, had a low number of investigations and need to be further explored. Abdominal endurance showed weak correlations, while flexibility did not show any correlations in most studies, although these should be considered for injury prevention. We recommend that fitness programs and evaluations include a global analysis considering the evidence presented for methodological improvements.

Keywords: firefighter performance; firefighting physical ability test; mental demands; physical demands (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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