Fitness Differences Among Professional Firefighters Utilizing Various Conditioning Regimens Throughout the Year

Miřátský, P, Hank, M, Gryc, T, Brožka, M, Cabell, L, Escamilla, R, Zahálka, F, and Malý, T. Fitness differences among professional firefighters utilizing various conditioning regimens throughout the year. J Strength Cond Res 39(7): e898-e908, 2025-The aim of this study was to compare selected parameters of physical fitness of Czech frontline professional firefighters ( n = 92), who performed various physical activities according to their preferences within their regular physical preparation for 1 year. These firefighters were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on their training preferences and sport focus: General Sports Activities (GSA; n = 30), Fire Sport (FS; n = 36), and Toughest Firefighter Alive (TFA; n = 26). All subjects completed (in period September) a battery of laboratory fitness tests including body composition, lower limb muscular strength and power, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Firefighters in the FS and TFA groups were found to have significantly higher values ( p < 0.01) for the following variables: fat-free mass, isokinetic strength, muscle power, maximum aerobic capacity, minute ventilation, and heart rate at the anaerobic threshold than their counterparts in the GSA group. There were no significant differences in body mass ( p = 0.21) and body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.48) between the firefighter groups. Professional frontline firefighters' level of physical fitness is improved by the incorporation of specific physical training activities, duties, and disciplines. This can have a direct impact on frontline firefighters' capacity to fight fires safely and effectively.