Aviation Rescue Firefighters physical fitness and predictors of task performance

Objectives: Aviation Rescue Firefighters (ARFF) require physical fitness specific to the aviation environment. This study aims to determine the physical fitness of ARFF and predictors of performance on ARFF-specific tasks from laboratory-based fitness measures. Design: Cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: Forty-two male ARFF (mean +/- SD; age 38.4 +/- 7.6 years, body mass index 26.2 +/- 2.2 kg m(-2)) completed a physical fitness testing battery, comprising maximal aerobic capacity ((V) over dotO(2max)), lactate threshold, anaerobic power, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscular strength (3 repetition maximum (3RM) bench and leg press) and muscular endurance (maximum curl ups and push ups) under controlled laboratory conditions. On a separate occasion, ARFF completed timed work-related tasks including a hose drag, dummy drag, Stihl saw hold, stair climb and simulated ARFF emergency protocol. Results: All participants finished the simulated ARFF emergency protocol under the criterion time (5 min 50 s); the average completion time was 4 min and 31 s. Performance time on the simulated ARFF emergency protocol was inversely correlated to (V) over dotO(2max) (r= -0.514; p< 0.001), anaerobic step test performance (r = -0.549; p< 0.001), height (r = -0.325; p= 0.038) and lean mass (r= -0.429; p= 0.005). Higher fat mass (r = 0.318; p= 0.043) and % body fat (r = 0.481; p= 0.001) were associated with slower performance time. Muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility were not related to performance on the simulated ARFF emergency protocol. Conclusions: Aerobic and anaerobic capacities, as well as body composition are the strongest predictors of simulated ARFF emergency protocol performance. This study highlights the importance of aerobic and anaerobic fitness, compared to muscular strength or muscular endurance, for ARFF job-specific performance, employment and training. (C) 2020 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.