Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters
This study’s primary objective was to examine the differences in body composition, abdominal strength, absolute and relative power, handgrip strength, one repetition maximum for squat and bench press, and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions executed within a minute across different a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Muscles |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0413/3/1/9 |
| _version_ | 1797239865870385152 |
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| author | Koulla Parpa Marcos Michaelides |
| author_facet | Koulla Parpa Marcos Michaelides |
| author_sort | Koulla Parpa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study’s primary objective was to examine the differences in body composition, abdominal strength, absolute and relative power, handgrip strength, one repetition maximum for squat and bench press, and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions executed within a minute across different age cohorts of firefighters. Furthermore, this study aimed to evaluate the age-related differences in firefighters’ completion times of six firefighting tasks. Eighty-four male volunteer firefighters (age 33.79 ± 6.97 years) were grouped into three age categories, 20–30 years, 31–40 years, and 41–50 years, and underwent the aforementioned evaluations. One-way analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that age exerts a statistically significant influence (<i>p</i> < 0.001) on body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Furthermore, age significantly affected the overall time of the ability test (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and the duration required to accomplish each individual task (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Additionally, age significantly affected abdominal strength, relative power (as measured by the step test), and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions performed within a minute. These outcomes support earlier research indicating an age-associated decrement in physical fitness parameters among firefighters. It is recommended that firefighters prioritize maintaining strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles, upper body muscular endurance, and a healthy body weight. The emphasis on specific muscular groups is essential for improving task performance within this profession. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:58:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6d5383985a9342d095cea45be1e8d760 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2813-0413 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:58:20Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Muscles |
| spelling | doaj.art-6d5383985a9342d095cea45be1e8d7602024-03-27T13:57:24ZengMDPI AGMuscles2813-04132024-03-0131889910.3390/muscles3010009Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among FirefightersKoulla Parpa0Marcos Michaelides1Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, UCLan University of Cyprus, Avenue 12-14, 7080 Pyla, CyprusFaculty of Sports and Exercise Science, UCLan University of Cyprus, Avenue 12-14, 7080 Pyla, CyprusThis study’s primary objective was to examine the differences in body composition, abdominal strength, absolute and relative power, handgrip strength, one repetition maximum for squat and bench press, and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions executed within a minute across different age cohorts of firefighters. Furthermore, this study aimed to evaluate the age-related differences in firefighters’ completion times of six firefighting tasks. Eighty-four male volunteer firefighters (age 33.79 ± 6.97 years) were grouped into three age categories, 20–30 years, 31–40 years, and 41–50 years, and underwent the aforementioned evaluations. One-way analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that age exerts a statistically significant influence (<i>p</i> < 0.001) on body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Furthermore, age significantly affected the overall time of the ability test (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and the duration required to accomplish each individual task (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Additionally, age significantly affected abdominal strength, relative power (as measured by the step test), and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions performed within a minute. These outcomes support earlier research indicating an age-associated decrement in physical fitness parameters among firefighters. It is recommended that firefighters prioritize maintaining strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles, upper body muscular endurance, and a healthy body weight. The emphasis on specific muscular groups is essential for improving task performance within this profession.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0413/3/1/9simulated firefighting tasksability testbody compositionoccupationalabdominal musclesupper body muscular endurance |
| spellingShingle | Koulla Parpa Marcos Michaelides Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters Muscles simulated firefighting tasks ability test body composition occupational abdominal muscles upper body muscular endurance |
| title | Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters |
| title_full | Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters |
| title_fullStr | Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters |
| title_short | Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters |
| title_sort | age related differences in physical fitness and performance of an ability test among firefighters |
| topic | simulated firefighting tasks ability test body composition occupational abdominal muscles upper body muscular endurance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0413/3/1/9 |
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