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Preparing Firefighter Recruits to Successfully Pass and Tolerate the Demands of the CPAT

by Ian Bonder, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC, Andrew, Shim, EDD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, Mike Waller, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, USAW-L2, FNSCA, and Ty Wheeler, NREMT-P, FO, MO, CSCS
TSAC Report January 2024
Vol 70, Issue 5

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Available to:
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Audience:
TSAC Facilitators
Topics:
Program design

This article aims to provide information designed to assist firefighter recruits to achieve a successful Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) performance.

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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 

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References

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  2. Chizewski, A, Box, A, Kesler, RM, and Petruzzello, SJ. High intensity functional training (HIFT) improves fitness in recruit firefighters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(24): 13400, 2021.
  3. Fahy, R, Evarts, B, and Stein, G. U.S. fire department profile 2019. 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.nfpa. org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-andreports/ Emergency-responders/osfdprofile.pdf.
  4. Fyock-Martin, MB, Erickson, EK, Hautz, AH, Sell, K, Turnbaugh, B, Caswell, S, et al. What do firefighting ability tests tell us about firefighter physical fitness? A systematic review of the current evidence. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34(7): 2093-2103, 2020.
  5. Gledhill, N, and Jamnik, VK. Characterization of the physical demands of firefighting. Canadian Journal of Sport Science 17(3): 207-213, 1992.
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  7. Hollerbach, BS, Jahnke, SA, Poston, WSC, Harms, CA, and Heinrich, KM. Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: A pilot investigation. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 14: 12, 2019.
  8. International Association of Fire Chiefs. IAFC Position: IAFC/ IAFF candidate physical ability test. 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.iafc.org/topics-and-tools/resources/ resource/iafc-position-iafc-iaff-candidate-physical-ability-test.
  9. International Association of Firefighters. The Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative Candidate Physical Ability Test 2nd Ed. USA: 2007. Retrieved March 2023 from https:// www.iaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CPAT-2nd-Edition.pdf
  10. Larose, J, Sigal, RJ, Khandwala, F, and Kenny, GP. Comparison of strength development with resistance training and combined exercise training in type 2 diabetes. Scandanavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 22(4): e45-e54, 2012.
  11. Mang, ZA, Vigil, ED, and Beam, JR. Utilizing multimodal highintensity interval training for a firefighter training academy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published ahead of print, February 27, 2023. Work 10: 3233, 2023.
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About the author

Ian Bonder, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC

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Ian Bonder is the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Warren Academy in Omaha, NE as well as an Adjunct Instructor at the College of Saint Mary a ...

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Andrew L. Shim, EdD, CSCS

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Andrew Shim is the Program Director and Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Exercise Science at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE. He grad ...

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Michael Waller, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT

Arkansas Tech University

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Mike Waller is currently a Professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education at Arkansas Tech University. Waller earned his Doctorate in Ex ...

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Ty Michael Wheeler, CSCS

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Ty Wheeler is a Lieutenant with the Johnston-Grimes (IA) Metropolitan Fire Department and Part-Time Fire Chief in Granger, IA with more than 13 years ...

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