Lighter subjects had a small advantage in endurance-oriented tests while higher mass appeared to improve performance slightly in strength-oriented tests. However, mass explained only 4% to 19% of the variance in performance.

Objective: This multi-part study aimed to revise an existing battery of physical aptitude tests for firefighter applicants. Test validity and reliability were evaluated and performance thresholds were determined. Methods: In Part I, 49 structural firefighters rated the similarity between the physical demands of the tests and corresponding work activities. In Part II, 23 participants completed the tests on 3 separate days. In Part III, cut-scores were determined using the Bookmark method by an expert panel of 25 firefighter supervisors. Results: Analysis revealed high levels of validity and reliability. The expert panel provided invaluable direction through a combination of independent and group work, leading to consensus on acceptable completion times. Conclusion: Rigorous processes established scientific credibility for the revised battery of tests. Expert knowledge from firefighter supervisors contributed to determining cut-scores following established scientific methods.

This 2-part study examined the impact of general duty police ensemble on selected cardiopulmonary responses during incremental treadmill exercise and on simulated work performance in 25 healthy young male and female participants. Part I comprised randomly ordered treadmill tests in 2 experimental conditions: physical training (PT; undergarments, shorts, t-shirt, and running shoes) and police duty ensemble (PDE; undergarments, body armour, patrol uniform, boots, duty belt with required equipment, radio, and weapons). The PDE added 10.3 kg (SD 0.4) or 14% (SD 2) body mass. Participants walked at 5.6 km·h−1, starting at 0% grade with 2% increases in grade every 2 min. The 4% stage was 6 min in duration to achieve physiological steady state. Subsequently, the 2-min increments continued to exhaustion. Part II evaluated performance time on a recognized job-related work simulation circuit, in 3 experimental conditions: (i) PT, (ii) weighted belt (WB; PT plus a 7.5 kg weighted belt), and (iii) PDE. In Part I, physiological responses (e.g., oxygen uptake, ventilation, heart rate) were elevated (p < 0.05) with PDE during submaximal exercise but peak values were unchanged. Test duration and peak power output were significantly reduced with PDE. In Part II, circuit completion time was increased in PDE but not WB when compared with PT (p < 0.05). Heart rate and perceived exertion were similar in all conditions and perceived dyspnea was higher in PDE. Novelty Police duty ensemble negatively affected exercise performance more than would be expected due to load mass alone. Specificity must be considered when simulating occupational load carriage.

The average oxygen uptake measured during the treadmill test was consistent with values measured during previously published studies on the aerobic demand of simulated fire-rescue work. The treadmill test required similar rates of air consumption compared to initial attack fire-fighting. The test demonstrated acceptable test-retest reliability.

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