Fyock-Martin, MB, Erickson, EK, Hautz, AH, Sell, KM, Turnbaugh, BL, Caswell, SV, and Martin, JR. What do firefighting ability tests tell us about firefighter physical fitness? A systematic review of the current evidence. J Strength Cond Res 34(7): 2093–2103, 2020—The firefighting profession is a physiologically demanding occupation. Currently, sudden cardiac deaths account for 40–50% of firefighter job-related deaths, for which, inadequate aerobic fitness (AF) and obesity are established as risk factors. Departments have instituted firefighting physical ability tests (FPATs) as a method of quantifying readiness for occupational-related demands. A systematic review of the current literature examining the correlation between field fitness test performance and FPAT completion times was performed. The search identified 5 studies that met the eligibility criteria. The total number of subjects in the 5 studies was 265 (259 men and 6 women), including 200 professional firefighters (75.5%), 40 volunteer (15.1%), 20 officers (7.5%), and 5 recruits (1.9%). Upper-body strength (UBs) and upper-body endurance (UBe) had the strongest correlation to FPATs (r = −0.31 to −0.66; R 2 = 0.10 to 0.44 and r = −0.27 to −0.61; R 2 = 0.07 to 0.37; p < 0.05, respectively). Two studies suggested that AF has a weak-to-moderate relationship with FPATs (r = 0.38 and r = −0.62). Two studies showed that anaerobic capacity had weak-to-strong correlations with FPATs (r = −0.40 and r = 0.79; R 2 = 0.16 to 0.62; p < 0.05). No studies found a statistically significant correlation between lower-body strength and FPAT performance. Further research is needed to better understand the role of field-based fitness test results on FPAT performance. An annual department-driven multicomponent fitness assessment measuring UBs, UBe, anaerobic capacity, and AF is recommended based on the evidence reviewed.
Introduction Because of the physical fitness requirements of Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) within the US Army, fitness testing batteries have been developed. The Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) has been used for determining occupation assignment and is meant to assess upper and lower body muscular power, muscular strength, and aerobic capacity. The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is a general fitness assessment meant to test upper and lower body muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. Comparisons of the two testing batteries as well as evaluation of potential sex differences are missing from current literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the sex differences in APFT and OPAT performances, as well as the relationship between the APFT and OPAT individual test events. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis, approved by the university’s institutional review board, was conducted on a sample of 90 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets (men, n = 72, age = 19.7 ± 2.2 years, height = 1.79 ± 0.21 m, mass = 75.18 ± 12.38 kg; women, n = 18, age = 19.8 ± 2.2 years, height = 1.63 ± 0.09 m, mass = 65.56 ± 9.03 kg) from the Fall 2018 semester. The cadets completed the APFT (maximal push-ups, maximal sit-ups, 2-mile run) and OPAT (standing long jump, seated power throw, a deadlift test, and interval aerobic run) protocols per army standards. Analysis of variance assessed sex differences and correlation coefficients were computed to examine the strength of relationships between individual test events (p < 0.05). Results All APFT and OPAT event performances were lower in women compared to men (p < 0.05), except the sit-up test (p = 0.382). Seated power throw (Z = 2.285; p = 0.011), 2-mile run (Z = 1.97; p = 0.024), and strength deadlift (Z = 1.783; p = 0.037) were more highly correlated to push-up than aerobic interval run. The standing long jump (Z = 1.741; p = 0.041), power throw (Z = 3.168; p = 0.001), strength deadlift (Z = 2.989; p = 0.001), and shuttle run (Z = 2.933 p = 0.002) were less correlated with the sit-up than 2-mile run. The interval aerobic run was more related to the 2-mile run than the power throw (Z = 1.809, p = 0.035). Compared to the aerobic interval run, the standing long jump (Z = 2.969, p = 0.001) and strength deadlift (Z = 4.237, p < 0.001) were more related to the seated power throw. Conclusions Sex differences and varied relationships among individual events on two common military fitness test batteries were observed. Lower performances on APFT and OPAT by women may suggest the need to evaluate potential training methods to assist women in reaching their desired MOS. Further, individual OPAT events displayed weaker relationships compared with the relationships among individual APFT event, suggesting a greater degree of redundancy among the events on the APFT. Therefore, the combination of APFT and OPAT may offer a greater opportunity to measure physical fitness capabilities as related to various military job performance tasks.
A maximum plank hold (PH) has been implemented in the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) with the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program. The H2F program introduces a shift in wellbeing from a fitness centered approach to framework also comprising nutrition, sleep, mental, and spiritual components. The purpose was to analyze how a maximum PH correlated with fitness, lifestyle behaviors, and mood states in tactical athletes (TA) and assess differences between those who pass and fail. Forty-nine TA completed fitness testing, lifestyle behavior, and mood state surveys. Bivariate correlations were used to examine relationships with PH performance. PH time was significantly correlated with total body mass, fat mass, BMI, push-ups, and state physical energy (SPE). VO2max was significantly different between the groups who passed and failed the PH. PH was not associated with lifestyle behaviors or trait mood states. PH performance could vary day-to-day as it was correlated with SPE. Individuals with poorer aerobic fitness and body composition may be at risk for failing the PH.
Clinical Question: What are the acute effects of reactive neuromuscular training on frontal plane knee kinematics during squatting movements? Clinical Bottom Line: There is Grade B evidence suggesting that there are no significant improvements in measures of frontal plane knee kinematics when reactive neuromuscular training is performed via looped band resistance applied to the distal thighs during squatting movements. However, current literature has only investigated a one-time exposure to reactive neuromuscular training during squatting movements, and little is known of the training effect over time or when the band is removed.
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