Functional Movement Quality as a Predictor of Task Performance and Air Management in Firefighter Recruit Training

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether functional movement quality predicts occupational task performance and air consumption in firefighter recruits. METHODS: Fifty firefighter recruits enrolled in a 20week training program completed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and aerobic fitness testing. Occupational performance was assessed using a firespecific course completed in full personal protective equipment and selfcontained breathing apparatus. Outcomes included Course Completion Time (CCT) and FireSpecific Air Consumption (FSAC). Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses examined relationships among movement quality, aerobic fitness, task performance, and air consumption. RESULTS: FMS scores were not independently associated with CCT or FSAC. However, both FMS and VO₂max significantly predicted CCT. In a model including FMS, VO₂max, and CCT, higher FMS scores predicted lower FSAC. CONCLUSIONS: Functional movement quality contributes to task performance and air management during firefighter recruit training.