Functional Firefighter High-Intensity Training—A Case for Optimizing Performance and Injury Prevention

by Nicholas Martinez, T.J. Resinger, Chris Ellis, Austin Jacobsen, and Minervino Labrador
TSAC Report October 2020
Vol 57, Issue 4

Share:
Available to:
Members only
Audience:
TSAC Facilitators
Topics:
Program design

This article explains the use of structured functional fitness programs for injury prevention and enhanced job performance in fire service personnel.

Paywall block issue

This article is not configured properly for members or paid content.
isMemberOnly: {{isMemberOnly}} | isPaidContent: {{isPaidContent}}
spc: One or more parts of the product SPC is missing.

Read the full article

View the video

Login to view more


{{discountDesc}} Valid thru {{discountEnds}}

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} is available with a NSCA membership

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} can be purchased for {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions

Purchase this {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}}. Price range: {{prices}}
Price range includes membership pricing and promotions

Become a Member Add to Cart Login

This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report 

Related Reading

Share:

References

1. Abel, MG, Palmer, TG, and Trubee, N. Exercise program design for structural firefighters. Strength and Conditioning Journal 37(4): 8-19, 2015.

2. Abel, MG, Sell, K, and Dennison, K. Design and implementation of fitness programs for firefighters. Strength and Conditioning Journal 33(4): 31-42, 2011.

3. Donovan, R, Nelson, T, Peel, J, Lipsey, T, Voyles, W, and Israel, RG. Cardiorespiratory fitness and the metabolic syndrome in firefighters. Occupational Medicine 59(7): 487-492, 2009.

4. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fire-related firefighter injuries reported to the national fire incident reporting system (2012-2014). Topical Fire Report Series 17(6): 2016.

5. Feito, Y, Heinrich, KM, Butcher, SJ, and Poston, WSC. High- Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): Definition and Research Implications for Improved Fitness. Sports 6(3): 2018.

6. Flegal, KM, Carroll, MD, Ogden, CL, and Curtin, LR. Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association 303: 235-241, 2010.

7. High-Intensity Interval Training. ACSM. 2014. Retrieved 2019 from https://acsm.org/docs/default-source/files-for-resourcelibrary/ high-intensity-interval-training.pdf?sfvrsn=b0f72be6_2.

8. Hofman, J. Health concerns with the fire service and the benefits of a health and wellness program for a fire department. Strength and Conditioning Journal 37(4): 74-79, 2015.

9. Houser, AN, Jackson, BA, Bartis, JT, and Peterson, DJ. Emergency Responder Injuries and Fatalities: An Analysis of Surveillance Data. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Science and Technology; 2004.

10. Jahnke, SA, Hyder, ML, Haddock, CK, Jitnarin, N, Day, RS, and Poston, WSC. High-intensity fitness training among a national sample of male career firefighters. Safety and Health at Work 6(1): 71-74, 2015.

11. Jahnke, SA, Poston, WS, Haddock, CK, and Jitnarin, N. Injury among a population based sample of career firefighters in the central USA. Injury Prevention 19(6): 393-398, 2013.

12. Jitnarin, N, Poston, WS, Haddock, CK, Jahnke, SA, and Day, RS. Accuracy of body mass index-defined obesity status in US firefighters. Safety and Health at Work 5(3): 161-164, 2014.

13. Kales, SN, Soteriades, ES, Christophi, CA, and Christiani DC. Emergency duties and deaths from heart disease among firefighters in the U.S. The New England Journal of Medicine 356: 1207-1215, 2007.

14. Lakka, HM, Laaksonen, DE, Lakka, TA, Niskanen, LK, Kumpusalo, E, Tuomilehto, J, and Salonen JT. The metabolic syndrome and total and cardiovascular disease mortality in middle-aged men. Journal of the American Medical Association 288: 2709-2716, 2002.

15. Mayer, JM, Nuzzo, JL, Chen, R, Quillen, WS, Verna, JL, Miro, R, and Dagenais, S. The impact of obesity on back and core muscular endurance in firefighters. Journal of Obesity, 2012.

16. Milanovic, Z, Sporis, G, and Weston, M. Effectiveness of highintensity interval training (HIT) and continuous endurance training for VO2max improvements: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Sports Medicine 45(10): 1469-1481, 2015.

17. National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 1582: Standard on comprehensive occupational medical program for fire departments. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 2013.

18. National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 1583: Standard on health-related fitness programs for firefighters. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 2008.

19. Poston, WSC, Haddock, CK, Jahnke, SA, Jitnarin, N, and Day, RS. An examination of the benefits of health promotion programs for the national fire service. BMC Public Health 13: 1-14, 2013.

20. Poston, WSC, Haddock, CK, Jahnke, SA, Jitnarin, N, Tuley, BC, and Kales, SN. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and substandard fitness in a population-based firefighter cohort. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 53: 266-273, 2011.

21. Reichard, AA, and Jackson, LL. Occupational injuries among emergency responders. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 53(1): 1-11, 2010.

22. Smith, DL. Firefighter fitness: improving performance and preventing injuries and fatalities. Current Sports Medicine Reports 10(3): 167-172, 2011.

23. Smith, DL, Manning, TS, and Petruzzello, SJ. Effect of strenuous live-fire drills on cardiovascular and psychological responses of recruit firefighters. Ergonomics 44: 244-254, 2001.

24. Storer, TW, Dolezal, BA, Abrazado, ML, Smith, DL, Batalin, MA, Tseng, C, and Cooper, CB. Firefighter health and fitness assessment: A call to action. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 28(3): 661-667, 2014.

25. Swank, AM, Adams, KJ, Barnard, KL, Berning, JM, and Stamford, BA. Age-related aerobic power in volunteer firefighters, a comparative analysis. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 14(2): 170-174, 2000.

26. Third Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service. Conducted in 2010 and including comparisons to the 2001 and 2005 needs assessment surveys. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association Fire Analysis and Research Division, 2011.

27. Tjønna, AE, Lee, SJ, Rognmo, Ø, Stølen, TO, Bye, A, Haram, PM, et al. Aerobic interval training versus continuous moderate exercise as a treatment for the metabolic syndrome: A pilot study. Circulation 118: 346–354, 2008.

28. Walton, SM, Conrad, KM, Furner, SE, and Samo, DG. Cause, type, and worker’s compensation costs of injury to fire fighters. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 43(4): 454-458, 2003.

29. Weston, KS, Wisloff, U, and Coombes, JS. High intensity interval training in patients with lifestyle-induced cardiometabolic disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine 48(16): 1227-1234, 2014.

30. Weston, M, Taylor, KL, Batterham, AM, and Hopkins, WG. Effects of low volume high-intensity interval training (HIT) on fitness in adults: a meta-analysis of controlled and non-controlled trials. Sports Medicine 44: 1005-1017, 2014.

About the author

Nicholas Martinez

Contact Nicholas Martinez

Contact Nicholas Martinez

Your first name is required.
Your last name is required.
Your email is required.
Your message is required.
Your reCaptcha is required.

Your email was successfully sent to Nicholas Martinez

View full biography
Available to:
Members only
Audience:
TSAC Facilitators
Topics:
Program design
#NSCAStrong #NSCAStrong

has been added to your shopping cart!

Continue Shopping Checkout Now