Presentations

Student Author Information

Emily MaxwellFollow

Location

Schewel 208

Access Type

Open Access

Entry Number

58

Start Date

4-4-2018 1:15 PM

Department

Exercise Physiology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to observe if core stabilization training plays a significant role in firefighter time-to-completion during a functional performance test. A within subjects study design was used in which subjects (n=13, mean ± SD age and body fat 33.7 ± 7.4 years, 25.79 ± 6.55 percent, respectively) completed two performance tests (pre and post core training), comprised of 7 firefighter-specific exercises performed while wearing a 22.68 kg weight vest to mimic typical firefighter equipment. Between testing sessions, subjects were prescribed specific core stabilization exercises to perform on their own 3+ days a week for a total of 4 weeks. Time-to-completion was significantly quicker between the first (300.89 ± 42.11s) and second (256.92 ± 34.31s) performance testing, on average by 43.8 seconds (p < 0.001). Body mass index (p = 0.065) and rating of perceived exertion during testing (p = 0.084) each trended towards significant decreases. Adequate fitness is essential to firefighters’ job task performance. Data from this study suggests that regular core stabilization training may assist in optimizing the effectiveness, and potentially safety, of firefighters’ performance in high intensity functional skills.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Jill Lucas

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Apr 4th, 1:15 PM

The Effects of Core Stabilization Training on the Performance of Functional Tasks in Firefighters

Schewel 208

The purpose of this study was to observe if core stabilization training plays a significant role in firefighter time-to-completion during a functional performance test. A within subjects study design was used in which subjects (n=13, mean ± SD age and body fat 33.7 ± 7.4 years, 25.79 ± 6.55 percent, respectively) completed two performance tests (pre and post core training), comprised of 7 firefighter-specific exercises performed while wearing a 22.68 kg weight vest to mimic typical firefighter equipment. Between testing sessions, subjects were prescribed specific core stabilization exercises to perform on their own 3+ days a week for a total of 4 weeks. Time-to-completion was significantly quicker between the first (300.89 ± 42.11s) and second (256.92 ± 34.31s) performance testing, on average by 43.8 seconds (p < 0.001). Body mass index (p = 0.065) and rating of perceived exertion during testing (p = 0.084) each trended towards significant decreases. Adequate fitness is essential to firefighters’ job task performance. Data from this study suggests that regular core stabilization training may assist in optimizing the effectiveness, and potentially safety, of firefighters’ performance in high intensity functional skills.