title: Self-rated physical loads of work tasks among firefighters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study sought to identify firefighters' rated physical demands for the most frequently occurring work tasks and to determine if the ratings differed between full-time and part-time firefighters to help create a basis for the development of physical employment tests for firefighters.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive questionnaire was completed by 125 and 68 firefighters in 2000 and 2010, respectively. The data were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U test and binominal test and ranked on the basis of the responses in each category.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were seen between the full- and part-time firefighters. The work tasks rated as the most physically strenuous in terms of aerobic fitness, muscle strength, work posture and body control by most respondents were smoke diving upstairs (carrying a hose), victim rescue in different ways, carrying a stretcher over terrain and pulling a hose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physically strenuous work tasks should be included in the end-point performance variables used to select physical performance tests for firefighters. The part-time firefighters with no experience in several of the work tasks suggests that work-related exercises are important if both groups of firefighters are expected to do similar work.
authors.affiliation: Section for Sports Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Winternet, Boden, Sweden. ann-sofie.lindberg@winter-net.se.
authors.forename: Ann-Sofie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.affiliation: Section for Sports Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Winternet, Boden, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christer
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malm
authors.affiliation: Physical Work Capacity-Team, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oksa
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
authors.forename: Désirée
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gavhed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D016272:Occupational Health; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult