Work - Volume 77, issue 4

Authors: Lockie, Robert G. | Orr, Robin M. | Montes, Fernando | Dawes, J. Jay

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fitness tests have been previously used to predict academy graduation and highlight specific capacities to be targeted in applicants/trainees to optimise their potential for academy success. OBJECTIVE: To compare the fitness of graduated and released (did not complete academy requirements) firefighter trainees and explore using decision tree analysis to predict academy graduation via fitness tests. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on 686 trainees who completed an occupational physical ability test (OPAT): Illinois agility test; push-ups; pull-ups; leg tucks; estimated maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max ); backwards overhead 4.54-kg medicine ball throw; 10-repetition maximum deadlift; and 91.44-m …farmer’s carry. Data were recorded in raw and scaled scores (tests scored from 0–100; maximum OPAT score was 800). Trainees were split into ‘graduated’ (GRAD; n  = 576) or ‘released’ (REL; n  = 110) groups. Mann-Whitney U-tests compared between-group OPAT scores. A decision tree analysis using Chi-square automatic interaction detection was conducted, with raw and scaled scores entered into the analysis. A separate analysis was conducted with only the raw scores. RESULTS: GRAD trainees outperformed REL trainees in all OPAT events (p  < 0.001). OPAT total score was the best predictor of academy graduation (p  < 0.001), followed by the deadlift score (p  = 0.003). Estimated VO2max was the only significant raw score predictor (p  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GRAD trainees were fitter than the REL trainees. Fitness could predict trainees who graduated from the academy. Overall fitness (OPAT total score), muscular strength (deadlift) and aerobic capacity were important graduation predictors. Training staff could develop these fitness qualities in their trainees to potentially improve fire academy graduation rates. Show more

Keywords: Aerobic fitness, deadlift, first responder, occupational physical ability test, tactical

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230258

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1377-1389, 2024

Authors: Kelly, Karen | Niederberger, Brenda | Givens, Andrea | Bernards, Jake | Orr, Robin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Load carriage tasks during United States Marine Corps (USMC) recruit training can cause injury. Load carriage conditioning, if optimized, can reduce injury risk. OBJECTIVE: To compare injuries sustained by USMC recruits following participation in either the Original Load Carriage (OLC) program or a Modified Load Carriage (MLC) program. METHODS: Retrospective musculoskeletal injury data were drawn from the USMC San Diego Sports Medicine injury database for recruits completing the OLC (n  = 2,363) and MLC (n  = 681) programs. Data were expressed as descriptive statistics and a population estimate of the OLC:MLC relative risk ratio (RR) was calculated. …RESULTS: The proportion of injuries sustained in the MLC cohort (n  = 268; 39% : OLC cohort, n  = 1,372 : 58%) was lower, as was the RR (0.68, 95% CI 0.61– 0.75). The leading nature of injury for both cohorts was sprains and strains (OLC n  = 396, 29%; MLC n  = 66; 25%). Stress reactions were proportionally higher in MLC (n  = 17, 6%; OLC n  = 4, 0.3%), while stress fractures were proportionately lower (MLC n  = 9, 3%; OLC n  = 114, 8%). Overuse injuries were lower in MLC (– 7%). The knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot were the top four bodily sites of injuries and the Small Unit Leadership Evaluation (SULE), Crucible, overuse-nonspecific, running, and conditioning hikes were within the top five most common events causing injury. The prevalence rates of moderate severity injury were similar (MLC = 23%; OLC = 24%), although MLC presented both a higher proportion and prevalence of severe injuries (MLC = 6%; OLC = 3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: A periodized load carriage program concurrently increased exposure to load carriage hikes while reducing injuries both during the load carriage hikes and overall. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal injury, boot-camp, injury prevention, progressive overload, military training

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230569

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1391-1399, 2024

Authors: Lockie, Robert G. | Orr, Robin M. | Kennedy, Kelly | Dawes, J. Jay

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In 2020, a police department in the south-eastern USA introduced a Job-Related Task Assessment (JTA). The JTA included running, climbing, crawling, balance, direction changes, stair climbing, dragging, pushing, and simulated controlling of a struggling subject and needed to be completed by applicants in 6 : 57 min:s. It is not known whether introducing the JTA in the hiring process affected the health and fitness of hired recruits. OBJECTIVE: To compare the health and fitness of recruits hired prior to, and following, the JTA introduction. METHODS: Analysis was conducted on recruit data split into academy training year: 2016 …(n  = 91), 2017 (n  = 129), 2018 (n  = 167), 2019 (n  = 242), and 2020 (n  = 37). The 2020 group was hired after the JTA introduction and included one academy class. The following were recorded for all recruits: age, height, body mass, and body mass index; systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP); sit-and-reach; grip strength; push-ups; sit-ups; 2.4-km run; and a physical ability test (PAT). A univariate ANOVA, with sex and age as covariates and Bonferroni post hoc, determined between-year differences. RESULTS: The recruits from 2020 were significantly lighter than 2018 recruits (p  < 0.031), had higher systolic and diastolic BP than recruits from 2016–2018 (p ≤0.006), completed the 2.4-km run faster than recruits from all years (p  < 0.001), and completed the PAT faster than the 2016 and 2019 (p  = 0.006–0.007) recruits. CONCLUSION: The JTA introduction led to the selection of recruits with lower body mass, and better aerobic (2.4-km run) and job-specific fitness (PAT). However, 2020 recruits also had higher BP which should be monitored. Show more

Keywords: Aerobic fitness, blood pressure, law enforcement, physical ability test, tactical

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230245

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1401-1413, 2024