Spring 2022 - 34

Photo Credit:
O2X Performance
FUNCTIONAL FITNESS
Tips for Firefighters
By Wesley Sykes, Managing Editor
W
..hat is the best way to improve fitness
..as firefighters?
According to a 2019 study published in
the Journal of Occupational Medicine and
Toxicology entitled 'Examining a novel
firefighter exercise training program on
simulated fireground test performance,'
firefighters struggle with poor health/low levels
of fitness, including high (> 80%) rates of
overweight and obesity.
That same study, however, also found
increased estimated VO2max, improved body
composition, and improved grip strength in
firefighters who successfully completed a highintensity
functional training program versus
those who didn't.
34 | Tactical Training & Conditioning | Spring 2022
While many experts emphasize the
importance of improving the cardiovascular
capacity of firefighters, some may only choose
to participate in weightlifting, neglecting other
important aspects of overall fitness.
Functional fitness is a method that uses
real-life activities and positions to best
prepare tactical athletes for optimal firefighter
performance. In other words, fitness training
must directly reflect the level of dynamic
fitness required to be a firefighter.
Thinking about functional fitness training in
terms of " the Big Eight " will help you improve
your ability to execute basic fireground tasks,
reduce the occurrence of injury, increase
resiliency, and improve the recovery process.
Spring 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spring 2022
