Development and application of a fitness test for fire fighters in Belgium

Introduction
The profession of fire fighters is both physically and mentally challenging. In this study a physical testing protocol to evaluate the fitness of fire fighters was created and subsequently tested in a field study. A training program related to the tests was designed.

Methods
The fitness test battery was composed after an extensive literature study, an analysis of fire fighting operational work and discussion with national and international experts. The test was validated in 80 fire fighters (77 males) with a mean age of 35.6 years (SD 9.9) and 69 students (57 males) with a mean age of 18.7 years (SD 1.8). Heart rate and time of execution were monitored. The fire fighters evaluated the job relevance of each test. A scoring system based on the performance of the test population was developed and judged by experts. Finally, the relation of the test results with cardio respiratory test results (VO2max) was investigated in 27 fire fighters.

Results
The test protocol consisted of 9 exercises: pull-ups, clamber, balance, squat run, push-ups, dragging a 80 kg rag, dragging a filled hose, collecting an empty hose and running stairs. There were no statistically significant differences between male students and fire fighters. The overall success ratio was 75%, this declined to 25% for participants older than 50 years and 23% for females. Length was also an important parameter: successful participants were on average 4.4 cm taller (P<0.001). Fire fighters found all parts of the test to be very relevant.

Discussion
A reproducible, practical and validated fitness test battery for the evaluation of physical condition of fire fighters was developed. Results were mainly influenced by age, gender and height. Nevertheless, minimal criteria for physical fitness were set applicable to all. In addition, a Cooper test and a swim certificate completed the global evaluation of physical fitness.