TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - A comparison of two physical ability tests for firefighters
JO  - Ergonomics
A1  - Mamen, Asgeir
A1  - Oseland, Harald
A1  - Medbø, Jon Ingulf
SP  - 1558
EP  - 1568
VL  - 56
IS  - 10
N2  - Smoke diving is physically demanding, and firefighters must therefore meet certain minimum physical requirements. The aim of this study was to compare the physiological demands of two fire fitness tests: a test of 8-min treadmill walking approved by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA) (a laboratory test) and a Canadian test consisting of 10 firefighting specific tasks carried out in sequence (an applied field test). If the Canadian field test is as physically demanding as the NLIA-approved laboratory test, it may be suitable for testing Norwegian firefighters. Twenty-two male professional firefighters were tested on separate days. In both tests, the subjects wore a complete firefighting outfit including a breathing apparatus. The test durations were 8 min (NLIA test) versus approximately 6 min (Canadian test). Neither the peak O2 uptake (VO2) of approximately 45 ml kg(- 1) min(- 1) nor the blood lactate concentration (BLC) at test termination ( ≈ 9 mmol L(- 1)) differed between the two tests. Rating of perceived exertion (RPECR-10) was lower for the Canadian test than for the Norwegian test (5.2 ±  1.5 vs. 7.0 ±  2.0, respectively), and the exercise time at a high VO2 was also shorter. In conclusion, the Canadian test appeared to be almost as physically demanding as the NLIA-approved test, having equal peak VO2 and BLC, but shorter time at a high VO2 and shorter duration. It might thus be a suitable alternative to the NLIA test with some modifications. The advantage of the Canadian field test is the inclusion of specific firefighting-like tasks that are not part of the NLIA test. Practitioner summary: The physiological load from two firefighter fitness tests was compared. The demands were found to be similar, but the field test was of a shorter duration. With some modifications, the field test may be sufficiently demanding to be used as a fire fitness test for smoke divers in Norway.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0014-0139
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2013.821171
ID  - ref1
ER  -