The purpose of this article is to propose a training model for the aging firefighter to improve the athletic qualities of aerobic fitness and muscular strength so that they may remain healthier longer into their careers.
This article serves as a guide for current and future strength and conditioning professionals who oversee program design for fire academy recruits. This includes a summarized needs analysis and a sample training program that considers the unique challenges of the fire academy.
April 26, 2021by Matthew Sokoloski, CSCS, TSAC-F, Dr Brandon Rhett Rigby, PhD, CSPS, NSCA-CPT, Isaac Rowland, CSCS, Ryan Gordon, CSCS, and Christopher Ryan Bachik, CSCS, TSAC-F
The purpose of this article was to conduct a process evaluation of a six-week recruit strength and conditioning programming for rural structural firefighter recruits.
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designTesting and Evaluation
Military and law enforcement needs analyses are not specifically matched to firefighting, but those training styles are better than basic fitness regimens or no regimen at all. For firefighters who are attracted to other styles of training not specific to firefighting, there are ways to train for all the demands of firefighting without making the firefighter use training modalities that they dislike or are not comfortable using.
In addition to standard health, fitness, or sport assessment guidelines, several guidelines exist for the fire service. Since each agency is different in its preferences, capabilities, and philosophies, applying a standard recommendation may not be possible. This article introduces basic decision-making considerations for fire service assessment batteries.
In this lecture from the NSCA's 2014 TSAC Conference, Katie Sell talks about the unique demands and skills required of wildland firefighters. Because wildland firefighters are involved in many different disciplines, Katie stresses the importance of fitness for not only job performance, but survival.
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designTesting and Evaluation
In this session from the 2015 NSCA TSAC Annual Training, Katie Sell discusses current research on how perceived fitness in firefighters may be related to injury prevalence (on-duty and in training) and provide recommendations on how tactical facilitators can decrease adverse repercussions of inaccurately perceived fitness levels (e.g., injury, overtraining, and job-related preparation).
July 23, 2024by Susannah Reiner, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, Jennifer Tinsley Kubala, MS, LAT, ATC, Jacob Jelmini, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS, Alyssa Eastman, MS, Nicholas Heebner, PhD, ATC, Phillip Gribble, PhD, ATC, FNATA, and Mark Abel, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F
This article explores the process and reasoning behind integrating an athletic trainer within a fire department to provide clinical care and injury prevention protocols.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition, Disorder, or DiseaseProfessional Development
The purpose of this case study was to assess a one-day peer fitness leaders workshop for firefighters and law enforcement officers to test the feasibility of creating a “Train the Trainer” program, which could be implemented for continued intervention.
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designProfessional Development