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Tactical Strength and Conditioning

(27) EFFECT OF AGE ON HEALTH AND FITNESS OUTCOMES IN VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Friday, July 12, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Exhibit Hall
Abstract Details: In recent decades, the fire service has faced challenges recruiting volunteer firefighters. Consequently, the average age of the volunteer firefighter (FF) has increased, which may contribute to poorer occupational readiness. PURPOSE: To compare health and fitness outcomes between young and old FFs from a rural, mostly-volunteer fire department. METHODS: FFs (n=15) from one rural, mostly-volunteer department performed comprehensive health and fitness evaluations. Health data (i.e., anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, and lung function) were collected in a fasted state at the fire station and classified according to American College of Sports Medicine standards. Fitness assessments (i.e., power, strength, endurance, and aerobic fitness) were performed in agreement with the fire service’s Wellness Fitness Initiative. Data were stratified by mean age and older FFs (FFold; n=8) were compared to younger FFs (FFyoung; n=7) using independent samples t-tests and effect sizes. RESULTS: Health and fitness data with p-values and effect sizes are reported in Table 1. All FFold were male, whereas three FFyoung were female. All FFold and most FFyoung (n=6) were classified as having a “very poor” body fat percentage. The mean blood pressure from both groups was above normal (FFold: stage I hypertensive; FFyoung: elevated). FFold exhibited greater absolute handgrip, upper-body, and lower-body strength; however, no differences existed when strength was expressed relative to body mass. CONCLUSIONS: Older firefighters consistently demonstrated poorer health and fitness when compared to younger counterparts. Even so, the younger cohort also exhibited substandard levels of health. Consequently, poor health and fitness may impair occupational readiness, posing a risk to the individual and the community. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The volunteer fire service should continue to increase recruitment efforts of younger firefighters. Moreover, these collective findings underscore a need for increased physical fitness throughout a FF career span.

Acknowledgements: None