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Firefighters and Intensive Resistive Exercise (F. I. R. E.)
The Center for Firefighter Safety Research and Development of the University of Maryland is conducting a research project to determine the physical attributes important for firefighting performance and the effectiveness of regular resistance type exercise (strength training) on both these physical attributes and on performance in simulations of firefighting tasks. The physical attributes will consist of components of fitness and body composition that are thought to relate to simulated tasks for firefighter recruits. These will be studied to determine best predictors of performance and assess the effects of a strength training program on these physical attributes and on the performance of simulated tasks.
The study will take place in the Department of Kinesiology and the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland in College Park. Participants will be asked to complete baseline fitness and body composition testing, which will include questionnaires, the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT), aerobic capacity, leg and arm strength, hand grip strength and endurance, muscle fatigue resistance, assessments of body composition (muscle and fat mass), muscle power, hand-eye coordination, whole body coordination, and hand dexterity.
In order to qualify for participation you must be between the ages of 18-40 and currently an active career or volunteer firefighter. Participants must not have more than three cardiovascular risk factors as identified by the American College of Sports Medicine and must not have any injuries or illnesses that would impair ability to participate in the study. Participants will be required to be in College Park for all aspects of testing. Testing will be conducted over a series of six days. The total time required is 10-12 hours with each session lasting approximately 2 hours. All testing is scheduled individually in order to accommodate your needs. All participants will be compensated for participation in the study.
For additional information or to see if you qualify please contact Angela Bennett at 1-800-ASK-MFRI or click the registration link above to complete an initial expression of interest registration.