Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: May | Volume: 10 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 24-28
Submaximal Fitness Testing In Male Firefighters: An Observational Study
Krupa Thomas1, Mayuri Rajesh Shah2, Parita Hardik Kothari2, Vidhi Shah2
1Intern, Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pimpri, Pune
2Assistant Professor, Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pimpri, Pune
Corresponding Author: Krupa Thomas
ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiac death is the leading cause of on-duty deaths in Fire fighters and therefore by assessing the cardiopulmonary capacity can prevent or reduce cardiovascular events in this population. Very few studies are done in Indian population for assessing physical fitness in Firefighters.
Method: A total of 100 Firefighters performed in Sub maximal fitness testing using Chester Step Test to predict the aerobic capacity (VO2max) in healthy men, ranging from age 25 - 45 years. The HRmax and the Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was monitored using Fitbit Inspire HR and Borg scale respectively.
Results: The results were predicted with the help of ‘Chester Step Test data collection and result sheet’. Out of 100 participants, 13% belonged to the Excellent category, 24% in Good category, 46% in Average, 16% in Below average and 1% in Poor was interpreted according to the norms of aerobic capacity.
Conclusion: The study concluded that, 37% of firefighters fit in Excellent and good category while the remaining 62% belonged to Average category, which suggests that the fitness level in firefighters is low.
Key words: Sub maximal fitness testing, fire fighters.