Physiological responses to treadmill exercise in size- and fitness-matched male and female firefighter applicants.

Physiological responses during a standardised treadmill test for structural firefighting employment were compared in 41 pairs of size-matched, male and female applicants. Applicants wore personal exercise clothing, running shoes, and fire protective ensemble with self-contained breathing apparatus (added mass 21.2 ± 1.

The Validity and Reliability of a Treadmill Test for Structural Firefighter Applicants.

Objective: This 2-part study evaluated validity and reliability of a treadmill test for structural firefighters.

Methods: Wearing fire protective ensemble, 260 participants walked at 1.56 m·s-1, completing a 5-min warm-up, an 8-min stage at a 5.

Evidence for Validity and Reliability, and Development of Performance Standards and Cut-Scores for Job-Related Tests of Physical Aptitude for Structural Firefighters.

Objective: This multi-part study aimed to revise an existing battery of physical aptitude tests for firefighter applicants. Test validity and reliability were evaluated and performance thresholds were determined.

Methods: In Part I, 49 structural firefighters rated the similarity between the physical demands of the tests and corresponding work activities.

The effect of general duty police ensemble on graded exercise and simulated work performance.

This 2-part study examined the impact of general duty police ensemble on selected cardiopulmonary responses during incremental treadmill exercise and on simulated work performance in 25 healthy young male and female participants. Part I comprised randomly ordered treadmill tests in 2 experimental conditions: physical training (PT; undergarments, shorts, t-shirt, and running shoes) and police duty ensemble (PDE; undergarments, body armour, patrol uniform, boots, duty belt with required equipment, radio, and weapons). The PDE added 10.

The Influence of Body Mass on Physical Fitness Test Performance in Male Firefighter Applicants.

Objective: The influence of body mass on test performance was investigated in 414 male firefighter applicants who completed a maximal treadmill test and five task-simulation tests while dressed in fire protective ensemble.

Methods: Subjects were assigned to six mass categories from less than 70 kg to more than 110 kg, in 10 kg increments (n = 69 in each).

Results: Treadmill performance was lower (P < 0.