Age-related changes in upper body strength and lower limb power of professional Italian firefighters

Abstract

Purpose Considering that the decrease in strength can be observed with ageing and that muscular endurance and strength are essential factors for firefighting effectiveness in critical situations, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the Upper Body Strength and Lower Limb Power of Professional of Italian Firefighters of 229 Italian male firefighters (age 32 ± 8 years, height 177 ± 6 cm, weight 79 ± 9 kg, BMI 24.5 ± 2.4 kg/m 2 ) and to compare the results in relation to the age (\30-year-old group; 31-to 35-year-old group; 36-to 40-year-old group; 41-to 45-year-old group; [45-year-old group). Methods Upper body strength (1RM bench press), lower limb power (counter movement jump-CMJ, and sprint ability-20 m) were analysed. Descriptive statistics and an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied to anthropometric and physical fitness values to assess significant difference between age groups. When a significant effect was found, Bonferroni's post hoc analysis was used. Results Between age groups, anthropometric values showed an age effect (p \ 0.05) for BMI with 34 % of all firefighters in overweight and high prevalence (52 %) in [45 compared to the other age group categories. Performances values showed differences for 1RM bench press [F (4,223) = 6.17; p \ 0.001], CMJ [F (4,223) Conclusions Considering that the ability to produce strength and power movements are very important qualities to firefighters in each age, individuals and ''job specific'' training programs should be planned with functional work activities to improve neuromuscular function at any age.

Validity of submaximal aerobic capacity and strength tests in firefighters

“…[ 35 ], which established that strength measures are able to explain a significant proportion of variation in firefighter ability test performance. The current findings, therefore, add further support to the importance of strength and more specifically to the testing and training of lower-body strength in operational firefighters [ 4 , 13 , 14 ]. Whilst practitioners should adopt a degree of caution interpreting estimated 1RM values, this novel approach to submaximal strength testing may offer sufficient validity to profile firefighter fitness effectively, without exposure to levels of fatigue associated with direct maximal testing.…”

“…Similarly, strength testing was limited to only the back-squat movement, so there would be value in establishing the relative validity of submaximal 1RM estimates across a range of upper and lower body lifts that may be relevant to the demands of firefighting (e.g. Overhead press, deadlift) [ 4 , 12 , 14 ]. Finally, whilst the reliability of the laser-optic device technology and associated maximal strength estimates used in the current study have been reported previously [ 18 ], there is a lack of firefighter-specific evidence relating to this.…”

“…five repetition max) or single repetition max (1RM) tests are commonly used to assess the muscular strength of firefighters, with good levels of validity reported across various upper-body 1RM tests in comparison with job-specific tasks [ 11 , 12 ]. Whilst lower-body muscular strength may also contribute to firefighter fitness and task performance [ 13 , 14 ], methods that have been validated specifically for firefighters are lacking. Furthermore, maximal strength testing may be time consuming and lead to fatigue that may place firefighters at greater risk during subsequent operational duties.…”

Are there sex differences in physiological parameters and reaction time responses to overload in firefighters?

“…Regarding the female firefighters, Kirlin et al [23] have shown no significant differences across the age groups in the muscular fitness measured by the maximum number of push-ups, sit-ups, and back endurance. Results of our study about bench press test showed lower estimates and real values than Michaelides et al [66] and Perroni et al [68] in male firefighters.…”

Association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal health in firefighters

“…To ensure the highest occupational efficiency, firefighters should maintain all measures of physical fitness through regular physical activity ( Durand et al, 2011 ; Yu et al, 2015 ; Nowak et al, 2018 ). In addition, it is well-documented that cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and endurance decline as firefighters age, due, in part, to a lack of leisure time physical activity and the natural decline in MSH as a product of the aging process ( Baur et al, 2012 ; Punakallio et al, 2012 ; Walker et al, 2014 ; Perroni et al, 2015 ; Frontera, 2017 ). This predisposes the firefighters to MSIs, especially, if they lack the necessary levels of physical fitness needed for firefighting.…”