Relationship Between Balance and Measures of Fitness and Strength in Firefighters
Mentor 1
Kyle Ebersole
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
24-4-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
24-4-2015 3:45 PM
Description
Purpose: Balance is a crucial aspect for firefighters as it relates to job performance and injury risk. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is commonly used to evaluate dynamic balance. Previous research has indicated that isolated muscle strength (i.e., knee extension or hip strength), body mass index (BMI), and core strength are associated with balance ability. Prior research, however, has not examined the association between balance and commonly evaluated measures of fitness in firefighters. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between balance and performance on field-based measures of fitness in firefighter recruits. METHODS: Seventy-eight, male firefighter recruits (age=30.9±4.93 years, height=180.7±5.74 cm, body weight=88.73±10.45 kg) volunteered to participate in the research study. All testing was completed at the Milwaukee Fire and Police Safety Academy. Each participant performed the tests for balance (YBT), flexibility (sit-and-reach), lower body strength (estimated maximal squat), core endurance (4-minute prone plank), general fitness (step-test submaximal VO2), upper extremity strength (handgrip strength), and body mass index (BMI). YBT performance was normalized to leg length. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationship between the YBT performance and the field tests for fitness and strength. An alpha of p<0.05 determined statistical significance for all analyses. RESULTS: Pearson correlations indicated a significant relationship between the YBT and handgrip (r=0.269, p=0.17), but non-significant relationships with all other measures (Sit-and-Reach r=-.139, p=0.23; Squat r=0.043, p=0.71; Plank r=0.148; r=0.19; Estimated VO2 max r=-0.183, p=0.11; BMI r=-.213, p=0.06). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that other than handgrip, commonly used measures of fitness and strength are not associated with balance ability in firefighter recruits. In this study, individuals with a stronger handgrip also performed better on the YBT. The lack of association with YBT and the other measures suggests that YBT performance may be mostly related to central nervous system control as opposed to measures of fitness or strength in the lower body. Future research should examine the relative role that the central nervous system has on YBT performance.
Relationship Between Balance and Measures of Fitness and Strength in Firefighters
Union Wisconsin Room
Purpose: Balance is a crucial aspect for firefighters as it relates to job performance and injury risk. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is commonly used to evaluate dynamic balance. Previous research has indicated that isolated muscle strength (i.e., knee extension or hip strength), body mass index (BMI), and core strength are associated with balance ability. Prior research, however, has not examined the association between balance and commonly evaluated measures of fitness in firefighters. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between balance and performance on field-based measures of fitness in firefighter recruits. METHODS: Seventy-eight, male firefighter recruits (age=30.9±4.93 years, height=180.7±5.74 cm, body weight=88.73±10.45 kg) volunteered to participate in the research study. All testing was completed at the Milwaukee Fire and Police Safety Academy. Each participant performed the tests for balance (YBT), flexibility (sit-and-reach), lower body strength (estimated maximal squat), core endurance (4-minute prone plank), general fitness (step-test submaximal VO2), upper extremity strength (handgrip strength), and body mass index (BMI). YBT performance was normalized to leg length. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationship between the YBT performance and the field tests for fitness and strength. An alpha of p<0.05 determined statistical significance for all analyses. RESULTS: Pearson correlations indicated a significant relationship between the YBT and handgrip (r=0.269, p=0.17), but non-significant relationships with all other measures (Sit-and-Reach r=-.139, p=0.23; Squat r=0.043, p=0.71; Plank r=0.148; r=0.19; Estimated VO2 max r=-0.183, p=0.11; BMI r=-.213, p=0.06). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that other than handgrip, commonly used measures of fitness and strength are not associated with balance ability in firefighter recruits. In this study, individuals with a stronger handgrip also performed better on the YBT. The lack of association with YBT and the other measures suggests that YBT performance may be mostly related to central nervous system control as opposed to measures of fitness or strength in the lower body. Future research should examine the relative role that the central nervous system has on YBT performance.
