A Submaximal Field Test of Aerobic Capacity does not Accurately Reflect VO_2max in Career Firefighters

Adequate aerobic capacity is crucial to maintaining firefighter safety. The purpose of this study was to compare predicted VO_2max scores from a submaximal and maximal step test. Eighteen career male firefighters from a medium sized urban municipality completed both a submaximal Forestry step test and a maximal laboratory WFI step test. A lack of association (p = .017) and low level of agreement (p = .015) was determined between step test protocols producing a mean bias of ± 5.61 mL.kg-1/min-1 with most scores being overestimated. Use of the Forestry step test to predict true VO_2max in firefighters should be used with caution when classifying firefighter fitness.