Impact of an 11-Week Strength and Conditioning Program on Firefighter Trainee Fitness

Brandon L. Stone, Brent A. Alvar, Robin M. Orr, Robert G. Lockie, Quincy R. Johnson, Jonathan Goatcher and J. Jay Dawes
Additional contact information
Brandon L. Stone: High Performance Department, Toronto Blue Jays, 1700 Solon Ave., Dunedin, FL 34698, USA
Brent A. Alvar: Department of Kinesiology, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
Robin M. Orr: Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
Robert G. Lockie: Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
Quincy R. Johnson: School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Jonathan Goatcher: United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO 80840, USA
J. Jay Dawes: School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-9

Abstract: Physical fitness is an important aspect of physical health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 11-weeks of formal strength and conditioning training conducted during fire academy training on the physical fitness characteristics of firefighter trainees. Archived physical fitness data for 23 male fire academy trainees (age: 27.6 ± 4.3 y; height: 178.5 ± 6.9 cm; body mass [BM]: 83.9 ± 1.8 kg; BM index [BMI]: 26.8 ± 2.8 kg/m 2 ) were analyzed for this study. These data included vertical jump height, maximum pull-up repetitions, hand grip strength, lower-body strength (3RM Hexbar) and aerobic fitness. Trainees performed three sessions per week (two resistance training sessions and one aerobic conditioning session) in addition to fire academy training. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant ( p < 0.05) pre-post decreases in BM and BMI and significant increases in upper- and lower-body strength, and aerobic fitness. Strength and conditioning programs are beneficial for improving firefighter trainees’ physical fitness even when run concurrently with fire academy training and with limited space and equipment. This increased fitness may aid in mitigating known occupational injury risks to this population and improve task performance.

Keywords: wellbeing; tactical; fitness testing; health; exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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