The Study of Korea National Firefighters’ Physical Fitness over 6-year Period (2011~2016)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the changes of the physical fitness of firefighters from 2011 to 2016 on each gender. The data of the six physical fitness tests (grip strength, back strength, sit and reach, standing long-jump, sit-up, and shuttle-run) were analyzed by using ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. The results were statistically significant improvements in all physical fitness tests from past to recent (p <0.001). The back strength was not only the steepest improvement rate by the year (B = 6.114, p <0.001) but also the difference of the absolute value between gender. The interaction was the greatest (B = 80.276, p <0.001 and B =.668, p <0.001) in back strength. Sit and reach was the slowest rate of growth (B = .668, p <0.001) and was only fitness test that female firefighters’ was superior to male firefighters (B = .173, p <0.001). Both firefighters improved their Shuttle-run (p <0.001). Although all fitness level was increased, the female firefighters might have more effort to improve their physical fitness to perform firefighting tasks.