title: Physical fitness profile of professional Italian firefighters: differences among age groups.
abstract: Firefighters perform many tasks which require a high level of fitness and their personal safety may be compromised by the physiological aging process. The aim of the study was to evaluate strength (bench-press), power (countermovement jump), sprint (20 m) and endurance (with and without Self Contained Breathing Apparatus - S.C.B.A.) of 161 Italian firefighters recruits in relation to age groups (<25 yr; 26-30 yr; 31-35 yr; 36-40 yr; 41-42 yr). Descriptive statistics and an ANOVA were calculated to provide the physical fitness profile for each parameter and to assess differences (p < 0.05) among age groups. Anthropometric values showed an age-effect for height and BMI, while performances values showed statistical differences for strength, power, sprint tests and endurance test with S.C.B.A. Wearing the S.C.B.A., 14% of all recruits failed to complete the endurance test. We propose that the firefighters should participate in an assessment of work capacity and specific fitness programs aimed to maintain an optimal fitness level for all ages.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Sport Sciences (SUISM), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Piazza Bernini 12, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: fabrizio.perroni@unito.it.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perroni
authors.affiliation: Italian Fire Fighter Corp, Italy.
authors.forename: Lamberto
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cignitti
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Lazio Meridionale, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cortis
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement and Sport Science, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capranica
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015444:Exercise; D061388:Firefighters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aerobic power; Self-contained breathing apparatus; Strength