Functional Training in Portuguese Firefighters: Impact of Functional Training with or Without Personal Protective Equipment

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of specific functional training (FT) with and without personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), on firefighters (FFs) physical fitness condition. METHODS Sixty FFs run a 24 weeks intervention, divided into three groups (EG1 training with PPE+SCBA; EG2 training with regular equipment, and Control Group). FFs anthropometric and physical fitness (PF) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS Significant differences were found between the training groups and control group. Both training groups interventions were effective in improving PF and lean mass. However, EG1 presented a higher percentage of improvement. CONCLUSION This 24-week FT intervention improved participants' muscle strength, endurance, and power, and it led to increases in lean body mass. Regularly FT with PPE+SCBA helps FFs maintain a healthy general physical condition and develop optimum fitness levels related to firefighting specific tasks, specially torso muscular endurance.