Citation

Calavalle AR, Sisti D, Mennelli G, Andolina G, Del Sal M, Rocchi MB, Benelli P, Stocchi V. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2013; 27(3): 769-775.

Affiliation

Dept. of Bio Molecular Sciences, Sport Sciences Section, "Carlo Bo" University, Urbino, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182600554

PMID

22706575

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify the main components that determine firefighters' level of physical fitness using a stair climbing test. The age, weight, height, body fat and VO2max of the firefighters were recorded before the trial and %HHR was recorded during the stair climbing. Non-linear modeling of heart rate reserve time series and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) was applied to the data to isolate a small number of variables that quantify overall individual physical fitness. The heart rate reserve was represented as a function of time using a the sum of linear and trigonometric functions. Four main factors that influence performance, obtained from PCA analysis, emerged (78.2% of total explained variance): the capacity to carry the extra-load (22.8% of total variance); the effect of body fat (19.6% of total variance); the influence of age in the task (19.3% of total variance); the overall fitness level (16.4% of total variance). This approach allowed us to make a rapid assessment of each subject's fitness level. Such an assessment could be used in planning individualized functional training programs to improve each firefighter's job performance and reduce injuries, and hence save time, energy and financial resources.

Language: en