Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigation
Abstract Background Firefighting is a dangerous occupation with high rates of injuries and fatalities, with the majority of line of duty fatalities due to cardiovascular events. Additionally, firefighters struggle with poor health/low levels of fitness, including high (> 80%) rates of overweight...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12995-019-0232-2 |
| _version_ | 1828395422252531712 |
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| author | Brittany S. Hollerbach Sara A. Jahnke Walker S. C. Poston Craig A. Harms Katie M. Heinrich |
| author_facet | Brittany S. Hollerbach Sara A. Jahnke Walker S. C. Poston Craig A. Harms Katie M. Heinrich |
| author_sort | Brittany S. Hollerbach |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Firefighting is a dangerous occupation with high rates of injuries and fatalities, with the majority of line of duty fatalities due to cardiovascular events. Additionally, firefighters struggle with poor health/low levels of fitness, including high (> 80%) rates of overweight and obesity. Limited resources exist for fire departments that are tailored to the culture and work requirements of these “tactical athletes”. Though there has been increasing interest in high intensity functional training (HIFT) programs, research data are lacking among firefighters and few studies have focused on training recruits. The purpose of this pilot investigation was to examine a novel HIFT program (TF20) on fire academy recruits’ health, fitness, and performance as determined by a simulated fire ground test (SFGT), as well as determining the program’s acceptability and feasibility. Methods Thirteen participants were recruited from an entry level fire academy and were randomly assigned to the control (CG, n = 6) or HIFT group (TF20, n = 7). The CG was asked to continue current exercise habits. TF20 was provided a 10-week online based training program that included periodized workouts, nutritional information, and mental readiness education. Due to attrition within the first two weeks of the study, 10 male fire recruits (23 ± 3 years) completed the study (CG, n = 3, TF20, n = 7). All 10 participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Results The TF20 group showed improvement on numerous outcome measures including SFGT (40% passing at baseline, 86% passing post-intervention). TF20 participants significantly increased estimated VO2max (p = 0.028), improved body composition (p = 0.028), and improved grip strength (p = 0.018). The CG did not experience any significant changes. The TF20 group completed approximately 75% of the assigned workouts. Conclusion While TF20 participants showed significant fitness gains, the small sample size limited direct comparisons to the CG. TF20 was well-received although there may be a better way to implement the intervention to increase participation. This investigation provides promising outcomes, useful information about implementation, feasibility, and acceptability for the TF20 HIFT program among firefighter recruits. IRB #8063 APPROVED 01/04/2016. Trial registration NCT03319394. Registered 28 September 2014. Retrospectively registered. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T08:12:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b82e5de35fe949749769369bdf423413 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1745-6673 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T08:12:54Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology |
| spelling | doaj.art-b82e5de35fe949749769369bdf4234132022-12-22T01:56:32ZengBMCJournal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology1745-66732019-04-0114111010.1186/s12995-019-0232-2Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigationBrittany S. Hollerbach0Sara A. Jahnke1Walker S. C. Poston2Craig A. Harms3Katie M. Heinrich4Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State UniversityCenter for Fire, Rescue, and EMS Health Research, National Development & Research InstitutesCenter for Fire, Rescue, and EMS Health Research, National Development & Research InstitutesDepartment of Kinesiology, Kansas State UniversityDepartment of Kinesiology, Kansas State UniversityAbstract Background Firefighting is a dangerous occupation with high rates of injuries and fatalities, with the majority of line of duty fatalities due to cardiovascular events. Additionally, firefighters struggle with poor health/low levels of fitness, including high (> 80%) rates of overweight and obesity. Limited resources exist for fire departments that are tailored to the culture and work requirements of these “tactical athletes”. Though there has been increasing interest in high intensity functional training (HIFT) programs, research data are lacking among firefighters and few studies have focused on training recruits. The purpose of this pilot investigation was to examine a novel HIFT program (TF20) on fire academy recruits’ health, fitness, and performance as determined by a simulated fire ground test (SFGT), as well as determining the program’s acceptability and feasibility. Methods Thirteen participants were recruited from an entry level fire academy and were randomly assigned to the control (CG, n = 6) or HIFT group (TF20, n = 7). The CG was asked to continue current exercise habits. TF20 was provided a 10-week online based training program that included periodized workouts, nutritional information, and mental readiness education. Due to attrition within the first two weeks of the study, 10 male fire recruits (23 ± 3 years) completed the study (CG, n = 3, TF20, n = 7). All 10 participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Results The TF20 group showed improvement on numerous outcome measures including SFGT (40% passing at baseline, 86% passing post-intervention). TF20 participants significantly increased estimated VO2max (p = 0.028), improved body composition (p = 0.028), and improved grip strength (p = 0.018). The CG did not experience any significant changes. The TF20 group completed approximately 75% of the assigned workouts. Conclusion While TF20 participants showed significant fitness gains, the small sample size limited direct comparisons to the CG. TF20 was well-received although there may be a better way to implement the intervention to increase participation. This investigation provides promising outcomes, useful information about implementation, feasibility, and acceptability for the TF20 HIFT program among firefighter recruits. IRB #8063 APPROVED 01/04/2016. Trial registration NCT03319394. Registered 28 September 2014. Retrospectively registered.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12995-019-0232-2FirefighterHealthOccupational healthFitnessHIFT |
| spellingShingle | Brittany S. Hollerbach Sara A. Jahnke Walker S. C. Poston Craig A. Harms Katie M. Heinrich Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigation Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology Firefighter Health Occupational health Fitness HIFT |
| title | Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigation |
| title_full | Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigation |
| title_fullStr | Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigation |
| title_short | Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: a pilot investigation |
| title_sort | examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance cardiorespiratory endurance and strength a pilot investigation |
| topic | Firefighter Health Occupational health Fitness HIFT |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12995-019-0232-2 |
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