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The Ladder Rung Walking Task: A Scoring System and its Practical Application.

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Using a Walking Test to Assess Firefighter Fitness.

Stephanie Donahue^1,2, Bilal Chaudhry¹, Carly McMorrow¹

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire, Durham NH, USA.

International Journal of Exercise Science

|April 26, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a valid and accessible tool for assessing firefighter aerobic fitness. While it underestimates VO2max, its ease of use can promote regular fitness assessments in fire stations.

Keywords:

Firefighter aerobic capacity fitness assessment maximal fitness submaximal fitness

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Area of Science:

Occupational Health
Cardiovascular Physiology
Exercise Science

Background:

Firefighters face elevated occupational risks, including high rates of cardiac-related mortality.
Aerobic fitness is a critical, modifiable cardiac risk factor for firefighters.
Many fire stations lack accessible equipment and structured wellness programs for fitness assessment and accountability.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the validity of the submaximal 6-minute walk test (6MWT) as a measure of aerobic capacity in firefighters.
To compare the 6MWT to a maximal treadmill test and the submaximal Gerkin protocol for assessing aerobic fitness.

Main Methods:

Twenty-four firefighters (19 male, 5 female) completed the 6MWT, Gerkin protocol, and maximal treadmill test.
Aerobic capacity was assessed using directly measured VO2max and estimated values from the submaximal tests.
Data analysis involved Bland-Altman plots and correlation analysis to determine equivalence and agreement.

Main Results:

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) demonstrated equivalence with directly measured VO2max and the Gerkin protocol.
The 6MWT underestimated VO2max by 17% compared to direct measurement and by 22% compared to the Gerkin protocol.
Despite underestimation, the 6MWT showed strong agreement with established measures of aerobic capacity.

Conclusions:

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a valid and accessible method for quantifying aerobic capacity in firefighters.
Its ease of administration can facilitate regular fitness assessments, promoting improved cardiovascular health in this population.
Implementing the 6MWT can help fire stations address the need for accessible fitness monitoring and wellness programs.