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Hart W, Taylor D, Bishop DC. Validity of submaximal aerobic capacity and strength tests in firefighters. Occup Med (Lond) 2024; 74:161-166. [PMID: 38381669 PMCID: PMC10990466 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Typically, the fitness of UK firefighters is assessed via submaximal estimate methods due to the low demands on time, money, expertise and equipment. However, the firefighter-specific validity of such testing in relation to maximum aerobic capacity (V˙O2max) and particularly muscular strength is not well established. AIMS To examine the validity of submaximal methods to estimate V˙O2max and maximal strength in operational firefighters. METHODS Twenty-two full-time operational firefighters (3 female) completed same-day submaximal (Chester Step Test; CST) and maximal (treadmill) assessments of V˙O2max, with a sub-sample of 10 firefighters (1 female) also completing submaximal and maximal back-squat (i.e. one repetition maximum; 1RM) assessments. All participants then completed the Firefighter Simulation Test (FFST) within 2-4 days. RESULTS CST underestimated actual V˙O2max by 1.4 ml·kg-1·min-1 (~3%), although V˙O2max values were positively correlated (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) and not significantly different. Estimated V˙O2max values negatively correlated with FFST performance (r = -0.42). Predicted 1RM underestimated actual 1RM by ~2%, although these values were significantly correlated (r = 0.99, P < 0.001) and did not significantly differ. The strongest predictive model of FFST performance included age, body mass index, and direct maximal measures of 1RM and V˙O2max. CONCLUSIONS Submaximal back-squat testing offers good validity in estimating maximum firefighter strength without exposure to the fatigue associated with maximal methods. The CST provides a reasonably valid and cost-effective V˙O2max estimate which translates to firefighting task performance, although the error observed means it should be used cautiously when making operational decisions related to V˙O2max benchmarks.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Hart
- North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Transport and Logistics Hub, Thirsk, UK
| | - D Taylor
- School of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - D C Bishop
- School of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
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Identifying current uses of return to work screening tests and their effectiveness of reducing the risk of reinjury in athletic occupations – A systematic review. Phys Ther Sport 2022; 58:141-150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Mascaró CM, Bouzas C, Montemayor S, Casares M, Llompart I, Ugarriza L, Borràs PA, Martínez JA, Tur JA. Effect of a Six-Month Lifestyle Intervention on the Physical Activity and Fitness Status of Adults with NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome. Nutrients 2022; 14:1813. [PMID: 35565780 PMCID: PMC9105030 DOI: 10.3390/nu14091813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Physical inactivity has been linked to NAFLD, and exercise has been reported as useful to reduce intrahepatic fat content in NAFLD. (2) Objectives: To assess the physical activity (PA) and fitness status after a six-month lifestyle intervention (diet and PA) in adults with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MetS). (3) Design: Prospective cohort analysis of data obtained between baseline and six-year parallel-group randomized trial (n = 155, aged 40-60 years old, with MetS and NAFLD). Participants were randomized into three nutritional and PA intervention groups: Conventional diet (CD); MedDiet-high meal frequency (MD-HMF); MedDiet-physical activity (MD-PA). (4) Methods: PA and fitness status were assessed using a validated Minnesota questionnaire, ALPHA-FIT test battery, accelerometers, and functional fitness score. Information related to age, gender, education level, marital status, socioeconomic status, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption were also obtained. (5) Results: The CD group had higher improvement in standing handgrip than the MD-HMF group. The MD-PA group did more modified push-up repetitions than the CD group. The MD-PA and CD groups showed higher sitting handgrip than the MD-HMF group. The MD-HMF group showed the highest decrease in aerobic capacity. The MD-PA group showed lower light intensity PA/day than the CD and MD-HMF groups. The MD-PA group showed higher moderate intensity PA than the CD and MD-HMF groups. The CD group reported more METs per day than the MD-HMF group. (6) Conclusions: Lifestyle six-month intervention with diet and regular PA improved functional fitness in middle-aged patients with NAFLD and MetS. Aerobic capacity improved in patients who followed a Mediterranean diet and regular training sessions at six months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina M. Mascaró
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (C.M.M.); (C.B.); (S.M.); (I.L.); (L.U.)
- Health Institute of the Balearic Islands (IDISBA), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Cristina Bouzas
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (C.M.M.); (C.B.); (S.M.); (I.L.); (L.U.)
- Health Institute of the Balearic Islands (IDISBA), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofia Montemayor
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (C.M.M.); (C.B.); (S.M.); (I.L.); (L.U.)
- Health Institute of the Balearic Islands (IDISBA), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Miguel Casares
- Radiodiagnosis Service, Red Asistencial Juaneda, 07011 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
| | - Isabel Llompart
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (C.M.M.); (C.B.); (S.M.); (I.L.); (L.U.)
- Health Institute of the Balearic Islands (IDISBA), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Lucía Ugarriza
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (C.M.M.); (C.B.); (S.M.); (I.L.); (L.U.)
- Health Institute of the Balearic Islands (IDISBA), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Camp Redó Primary Health Care Center, 07010 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Pere-Antoni Borràs
- Area of Physical Education and Sports, Department of Pedagogy and Specific Didactics, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
| | - J. Alfredo Martínez
- Cardiometabolics Precision Nutrition Program, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM-CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences, and Physiology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josep A. Tur
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (C.M.M.); (C.B.); (S.M.); (I.L.); (L.U.)
- Health Institute of the Balearic Islands (IDISBA), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Siddall AG, Rayson MP, Walker EF, Doherty J, Osofa JI, Flood TR, Hale B, Myers SD, Blacker SD. Development of physical employment standards of specialist paramedic roles in the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (Naru). APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2021; 95:103460. [PMID: 33991853 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM To develop evidence-based role-specific physical employment standards and tests for National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) specialist paramedics. METHODS Sixty-two (53 men, 9 women) paramedics performed an array of (1) realistic reconstructions of critical job-tasks (criterion job performance); (2) simplified, easily-replicable simulations of those reconstructions and; (3) fitness tests that are portable and/or practicable to administer with limited resources or specialist equipment. Pearson's correlations and ordinary least products regression were used to assess relationships between tasks and tests. Performance on reconstructions, subject-matter expert and participant ratings were combined to derive minimum acceptable job performance levels, which were used to determine cut-scores on appropriate correlated simulations and tests. RESULTS The majority of performance times were highly correlated with their respective simulations (range of r: 0.73-0.90), with the exception of those replicating water rescue (r range: 0.28-0.47). Regression compatibility intervals provided three cut-scores for each job-task on an appropriate simulation and fitness test. CONCLUSION This study provides a varied and easily-implementable physical capability assessment for NARU personnel, empirically linked to job performance, with flexible options depending on organisational requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Siddall
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK.
| | | | - Ella F Walker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Julianne Doherty
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Josh I Osofa
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Tessa R Flood
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Beverley Hale
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Steve D Myers
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
| | - Sam D Blacker
- Occupational Performance Research Group, University of Chichester, UK
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Asanati K. In this issue of Occupational Medicine. Occup Med (Lond) 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqz026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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