Vol 15, Issue 4

A Submaximal Field Test of Aerobic Capacity does not Accurately Reflect VO2max in Career Firefighters

Authors

Davis Hale‡University of Tulsa
Roger O. KollockUniversity of Tulsa
Jacob ThomasUniversity of Tulsa
Gabriel J. SandersNorthern Kentucky University
Will PevelerLiberty University
Andrew ManganThe University of Arkansas Medical Sciences
Blake LandonOklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences at Cherokee Nation
International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4): 221-230, 2022.
DOI: 10.70252/YLQD4760

Abstract

Adequate aerobic capacity is crucial to maintaining firefighter safety. The purpose of this study was to compare predicted VO2max 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 (= .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 VO2max in firefighters should be used with caution when classifying firefighter fitness.

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