How Do Firefighters Differ Between Years of Fire Service Experience: Part 1 - Physical Fitness Profiles

Authors

Ian Bivins, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Michael J. Conner, Front Line Mobile HealthFollow
Jacob A. Mota, Texas Tech UniversityFollow
Payton Miller, Texas Tech UniversityFollow
Steven E. Martin, Texas A&M University, College StationFollow
Lisa C. Colvin, Texas A&M University, College Station, TXFollow
Drew Gonzalez, Sam Houston State University, HuntsvilleFollow

Abstract

Firefighters (FF) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to aging, job-related stress, and irregular physical activity. Years of experience (YXP) in the fire service have been shown to have a unique impact on FF health and performance; however, profiling the differences between those with less or more YXP has not yet been assessed. PURPOSE: To examine years of experience-related differences in conventional physical fitness parameters among FFs. METHODS: Archival data from annual clinical testing of 142 FFs were analyzed. Groups were defined as those with 5 YXP. General linear models (GLM) were used for multivariate and univariate analyses to evaluate the effect of YXP on physical fitness parameters. Fisher’s Least Significant Difference tests and 95% upper and lower confidence intervals were used to assess pairwise comparisons of means and post-hoc tests. Partial Eta squared (ηp2) values were used to determine effect size, where values of >0.01 and 0.06 and 0.14 (large effect). RESULTS: Overall GLM multivariate analysis revealed a Wilk's Lambda for YXP (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.248). Univariate analysis showed a difference in time-to-exhaustion (TTE) on the cardiopulmonary exercise treadmill test (CPXT, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.210), VO2max (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.196), sit-ups (p = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.0.49), push-ups (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.128), and sit-and-reach flexibility (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.082), but not for handgrip strength (p = 0.847, ηp2 = 0.000). Pairwise comparisons revealed that FFs with fewer years of experience demonstrated longer TTE on the CPXT (1.544 min [1.038, 2.049]), higher VO2max (6.161 mL/kg/min [ 4.055, 8.267]), more repetitions for sit-ups (4.308 [1.101, 7.515]) and push-ups (13.315 [7.456, 19.174]), and better indices of flexibility in the sit-and-reach test (1.966 inches [0.856, 3.075]). CONCLUSION: FFs with less experience showed higher aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and flexibility than those with more years on the job. This indicates that prolonged occupational exposure may lead to reduced physical fitness, increasing the risk of injury and CVD. Implementing regular fitness routines and periodic evaluations throughout an FF’s career could help maintain operational readiness and reduce long-term health risks.

Recommended Citation

Bivins, Ian; Conner, Michael J.; Mota, Jacob A.; Miller, Payton; Martin, Steven E.; Colvin, Lisa C.; and Gonzalez, Drew (2026) "How Do Firefighters Differ Between Years of Fire Service Experience: Part 1 - Physical Fitness Profiles," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 18, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/6