Incumbent Firefighters Exhibit Higher Levels Of Physical Performance Compared To Recruits

Physical fitness (PF) is essential for firefighter performance, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal injuries. No studies have compared PF measures between recruits and incumbents in both field and lab settings. Recruits' fitness typically improves during the academy but declines throughout their careers. PURPOSE: This study aimed to quantify the baseline PF characteristics of recruits versus incumbents. METHODS: Firefighter recruits (N = 32, Female = 1, age = 24.9 ± 8.0y) participated in field-based testing, with 18 (Female = 1, age = 26.2 ± 9.2y) of them also completing laboratory-based testing at the start of the academy. Nine incumbents (age = 29.5 ± 7.8y, experience = 6.4 ± 6.3y) participated in both field- and lab-based fitness testing during the same period. Physical activity (PA) levels over the prior 3 months were reported. Assessments included field-based (waist-to-hip ratio [WTH], handgrip strength, maximum sit-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups, and 1.5-mile run) and laboratory-based (body composition, countermovement jumps with hands-on-hips [CMJHoH], isometric mid-thigh pull [IMTP], and maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max]) tests. Independent sample t-tests were performed to determine group differences (α = 0.05) and effect sizes were calculated. RESULTS: Incumbents exhibited higher levels of PA (p = 0.004, ES = 1.3). No group differences were found for WTH, handgrip strength, fat-free mass, or peak IMTP force (p > 0.05). However, incumbents performed more sit-ups (p < 0.001, ES = 1.7), push-ups (p < 0.001, ES = 1.5), and pull-ups (p < 0.001, ES = 1.6). Incumbents had faster 1.5 mile run times (p = 0.015, ES = -1.0), lower body fat % (p = 0.018, ES = -1.0), higher CMJHOH (p < 0.001, ES = 1.7), and higher VO2max values (p = 0.01, ES = 1.13) than recruits. CONCLUSIONS: Across testing, incumbent firefighters demonstrated superior body composition, muscular endurance, power, and aerobic fitness, likely attributable to incumbents' job-specific demands and greater levels of training. Recruits may benefit from training programs focused on muscular power and cardiovascular fitness before joining the academy to maximize job-specific training and performance. Supported by: This abstract was made possible in part by Grant Number T32-GM081740 from NIH-NIGMS, awarded to GFM.