Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2022
Publication Title
International Journal of Exercise Science
Keywords
muscular strength, tactical fitness and nutrition, tactical athlete, isometric mid-thigh pull, fitness testing
Abstract
Firefighters are required to perform a wide array of physically demanding job tasks, such as forcible entry, charged hose advances and victim extractions. An adequate level of muscular strength and power are required to successfully perform these tasks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in stronger and weaker firefighters in measures of power. Archived data for twenty-seven (age = 34.3 ± 7.9 yr, body height = 176.3 ± 7.2 cm, body mass = 89.4 ± 15.7 kg) full-time firefighters were analyzed. Participants were placed into one of two groups [i.e., stronger (HIGH) (n = 13) and weaker (LOW) (n = 14)], based on their relative isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTPr) performance. Power measures included counter-movement jump (CMJ) height, and peak anaerobic power in watts (PAPW). Significant mean score differences were not discovered between HIGH and LOW IMTPr groups on any measures of lower-body power. Moderate positive correlations were observed between IMTP and CMJ (r = .519; p = .01). This study identified significant differences in absolute and relative strength between firefighters who were able to lift at least 2.0x their bodyweight versus those who were not. Additionally, absolute strength (as assessed by the IMTP) was significantly and positively correlated to CMJ height when compared to their weaker counterparts. These findings may provide insight into approaches for improving occupational performance and durability through the physical development of firefighters via strength and conditioning programs which focus on developing absolute strength, relative strength, and power.
Funding Source
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) grant number HR18-054.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Quincy; Dawes, J. Jay; Uftring, Melissa; Lopes dos Santos, Marcel; Hale, Davis; Sanders, Gabriel J.; Peveler, Will; and Kollock, Roger O., "Differences in Stronger Versus Weaker Firefighters in Selected Measures of Power" (2022). Faculty Publications - Kinesiology and Recreation. 25.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/fpknr/25
Comments
First published in International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4): 552-560, 2022. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol15/iss4/12.
This is an open access article published with a Creative Commons no-derivatives (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/) license.