Graduation Date
Spring 2017
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology, option Exercise Science
Committee Chair Name
YoungSub Kwon
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Chris Hopper
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Sean Campbell
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Community Member or Outside Professional
Keywords
Health wellness, Firefighters, Fitness
Subject Categories
Kinesiology
Abstract
ABSTRACT
THE HEALTH, FITNESS AND ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FIREFIGHTERS ON THE NORTH COAST OF CALIFORNIA
Gil Spitz
Limited research has been conducted on the health-related physical fitness level of rural firefighters on the northern coast of California. The geographic isolation of rural firefighters creates unique challenges, including staffing shortages placing individual firefighters under unusual physiological stress.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the health-related physical fitness status of rural firefighters.
METHODS: 20 male firefighters (mean±sd, age = 32±7 yr, height = 180±5 cm, body mass = 96±16 kg, fire service = 9±7 yr) on the northern coast of California performed body composition, strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity tests. Data were compared with age-based normative data.
RESULTS: Fitness testing revealed that rural firefighters ranked above average on tests of upper body muscular strength (bench press) and aerobic capacity (VO2max) and average on tests of body composition (% fat) and flexibility (sit-and-reach). (Table 1)
CONCLUSIONS: Exercise programs for firefighters should focus on improving flexibility and body composition, while maintaining muscular strength and aerobic fitness to meet the demands of firefighting.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Spitz, Gil, "The health, fitness, and anthropometric characteristics of firefighters on the North Coast of California" (2017). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 31.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/31