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

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