The Association Of Relative Strength And Peak Anaerobic Power To Simulated Fire-suppression Activities

Physical abilities tests (PAT) are often used to determine physical readiness of firefighters and consist of a battery of simulated fire-suppression activities (sFSA) such as the hose drag (HD), rescue and ladder raise and extension (LRE) drills. Despite the wide-spread use of PAT as a standard for readiness, the association of strength and power to successful completion of the sFSA included in the PAT remains unexplored. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the association of relative strength (RS) and peak anaerobic power (PAPw) to simulated sFSA. METHODS: 29 male career firefighters were recruited. As part of their annual PAT, each firefighter performed the following timed (sec) sFSA: HD, search, rescue, forcible entry (FE), and LRE. In a subsequent test session, separated by 2-weeks, participants performed the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and counter movement vertical jump (CMJ) tests. The IMTP required participants complete 3 trials of a 5-sec isometric contraction using a custom strength testing device with an integrated load cell. The peak IMTP value was used to calculate RS (peak IMTP/body weight). For the CMJ task, participants performed 3 CMJ trials with maximal effort. PAPw was calculated using the Sayers equation: PAPw = (60.7 x jump height (cm)) + (45.3 x body mass (kg)) – 2055. Bivariate correlations were used to determine the association of RS and PAPw to each timed FSA. Alpha level was set a priori at .05. RESULTS: PAPw was significantly associated to the rescue (r = -.574, p = .003). PAPW was not significantly associated to HD (r = -.227, p = .275), search (r = .036, p = .863), FE (r = -.338, p = .099), and LRE (r = .252, p = .224). RS was not significantly associated to HD (r = -.319, p = .128), search (r = -.379, p = .068), rescue (-.229, p = .281), FE (r = -.230, p = .280), and LRE (r = -.074, p = .730). CONCLUSION: The rescue drill appears to be a strong indicator of PAPw. Supported by Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology - Grant No. HR18-054