Examining The Association Between Cardiopulmonary Fitness And A Physical Abilities Test In Career Firefighters

Career firefighters are annually tested on fire suppression skills using a Physical Abilities Test (PAT) that determines readiness for active duty. Despite the universality of the PAT in standard firefighting testing, the relationship between cardiopulmonary fitness and successful completion of the PAT remains unexplored. By understanding cardiopulmonary fitness related to work capacity, economy, and efficiency in relation to fire suppression activities, fire administration can determine the efficacy of current testing procedures and their ability to screen for physical readiness. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine possible associations between cardiopulmonary measures and the (PAT) in career firefighters. METHODS: Male career firefighters (n = 19, 35+/-8 yrs) completed a maximum test of aerobic capacity (Wellness Fitness Initiative, WFI) using a stepmill and the PAT on separate occasions two weeks apart. Cardiopulmonary measures: VO2max (aerobic capacity), O2 pulse (aerobic economy), training impulse (TRIMP), TRIMP-AT (TRIMP after the anaerobic threshold, respiratory exchange ratio, RER 1.0), AT-RER (time to fatigue after: RER OF 1.0), and exercise efficiency (EE). For data analyses, the total PAT time for each subject was compared to each cardiopulmonary variable using Pearson's bivariate correlation coefficients with a p = .05 alpha level. RESULTS: Total PAT times demonstrated a negative correlation with an increase in VO2max (r = -.488; p = .04), an increase in AT-RER (r = -.486; p = .048), an increase in TRIMP-AT (r = -.529; p = .029), and an increase in EE (r = -572; p = .013). O2 pulse trended toward a negative relationship with PAT time but did not demonstrate statistical significance (r = -.459; p = .055). Total TRIMP did not correlate with PAT time. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of VO2max, AT-RER, and TRIMP-AT demonstrated a significant association to lower PAT times in career firefighters. TRIMP-AT was a better predictor of cardiopulmonary fitness and glycolytic energy system capabilities than total TRIMP. Thus, adequate levels of exercise capacity, economy, and efficiency may assist career firefighters in completion of standard fire suppression tasks. Supported by Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology - Grant No. HR18-054