(28) EFFECTS OF A FIREFIGHTER TRAINING ACADEMY ON LOWER-BODY STRENGTH

Purpose: Muscular strength is a crucial physical attribute for firefighter performance. Critical and essential job tasks like hose drags, stair climbs, victim carries, and forcible entry require large amounts of strength, especially when performed while in personal protective equipment. Indeed, the literature has linked lower-body strength with injury risk and occupational performance in firefighters. However, there is a lack of research assessing changes in these strength metrics throughout the firefighter academy training process. The purpose of this study was to examine lower-body strength progression across a firefighter training academy. Methods: Retrospective data from 37 firefighter recruits (7 females, age = 26 ± 4 yrs, body mass = 86.0 ± 17.7 kgs) were assessed across four time points (pre, mid1, mid2, post) to assess changes in lower-body strength across the academy experience. Baseline demographic, anthropometric, and strength (squat and deadlift) outcomes can be found in Table 1. As a marker of muscle strength, recruits completed multi-repetition maximum (3RM) strength testing for the squat (squat3RM) and deadlift (deadlift3RM) at each testing timepoint. The 3RM procedures followed the guidelines set forth by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and all procedures were supervised by a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. The 32-week recruit academy consisted of 120 total days of structured physical training. Statistical models were fit to assess the effect of time on measures of strength (squat3RM, deadlift3RM) with the fixed effects including time (pre, mid1, mid2, post). Results: The outcomes of the linear mixed-effect model suggest there was a significant effect for time (F = 10.31, p < 0.001, F = 8.08, p < 0.001) for squat3RM and deadlift3RM respectively. When assessing the estimated marginal means across each time point, there was an increase in squat strength at MID1 (6.64 ± 2.05, p = 0.002), MID2 (8.55 ± 2.05, p < 0.001), and POST (8.85 ± 2.05, p < 0.001) compared to pre-testing. Similarly, deadlift strength at MID1 (6.70 ± 2.28, p = 0.004), MID2 (5.14 ± 2.28, p = 0.026), and POST (12.56 ± 2.28, p < 0.001) were greater than pre-testing. Conclusions: The improvements in lower-body strength suggest that the firefighter academy experience provides sufficient stimulus for strength adaptations in firefighter recruits. Future studies may explore the unique responses displayed between the sexes. Practical Applications: Tactical strength and conditioning facilitators should be encouraged to prioritize strength training in fire academies. By teaching fire recruits the benefits of strength training, it may be possible to mitigate occupational injury risk at larger scales if similar protocols can be adopted. Acknowledgements: None