School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia.
Appl Ergon. 2011 Mar;42(3):411-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2010.08.020.
The pack hike test (PHT, 4.83 km hike wearing a 20.4-kg load) was devised to determine the job readiness of USA wildland firefighters. This study measured PHT performance in a sample of Australian firefighters who currently perform the PHT (career land management firefighters, LMFF) and those who do not (suburban/regional volunteer firefighters, VFF). The study also investigated the relationships between firefighters' PHT performance and their performance across a range of fitness tests for both groups. Twenty LMFF and eighteen age-, body mass-, and height-matched VFF attempted the PHT, and a series of muscular endurance, power, strength and cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Bivariate correlations between the participants' PHT finishing time and their performance in a suite of different fitness tests were determined using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient. The mean PHT finishing time for LMFF (42.2 ± 2.8 min) was 9 ± 14% faster (p = 0.001) than for VFF (46.1 ± 3.6 min). The pass rate (the percentage of participants who completed the PHT in under 45 min) for LMFF (90%) was greater than that of VFF (39%, p = 0.001). For LMFF, VO(2peak) in L min(-1)(r = -0.66, p = 0.001) and the duration they could sustain a grip 'force' of 25 kg (r = -0.69, p = 0.001) were strongly correlated with PHT finishing time. For VFF, VO(2peak) in mL kg(-1) min(-1)(r = -0.75, p = 0.002) and the duration they could hold a 1.2-m bar attached to 45.5 kg in a 'hose spray position' (r = -0.69, p = 0.004) were strongly correlated with PHT finishing time. This study shows that PHT fitness-screening could severely limit the number of VFF eligible for duty, compromising workforce numbers and highlights the need for specific and valid firefighter fitness standards. The results also demonstrate the strong relationships between PHT performance and firefighters' cardiorespiratory fitness and local muscular endurance. Those preparing for the PHT should focus their training on these fitness components in the weeks and months prior to undertaking the PHT.
背包徒步测试（PHT，负重 20.4 公斤徒步 4.83 公里）旨在确定美国野外消防员的工作准备情况。本研究测量了目前进行 PHT（职业陆地管理消防员，LMFF）和不进行 PHT（郊区/区域志愿消防员，VFF）的澳大利亚消防员样本的 PHT 表现。该研究还调查了两组消防员的 PHT 表现与一系列不同的体能测试之间的关系。20 名 LMFF 和 18 名年龄、体重和身高匹配的 VFF 尝试了 PHT，并进行了一系列肌肉耐力、力量、强度和心肺功能测试。使用 Pearson 积差相关系数确定参与者的 PHT 完成时间与一系列不同的体能测试表现之间的双变量相关性。LMFF 的平均 PHT 完成时间为 42.2 ± 2.8 分钟，比 VFF 的 46.1 ± 3.6 分钟快 9 ± 14%（p = 0.001）。LMFF 的通过率（在 45 分钟内完成 PHT 的参与者百分比）为 90%，高于 VFF 的 39%（p = 0.001）。对于 LMFF，VO2peak 在 L min-1 中（r = -0.66，p = 0.001）和他们能够维持 25 公斤握力的时间（r = -0.69，p = 0.001）与 PHT 完成时间呈强相关。对于 VFF，VO2peak 在 mL kg-1 min-1 中（r = -0.75，p = 0.002）和他们能够在“软管喷雾位置”握住连接 45.5 公斤的 1.2 米棒的时间（r = -0.69，p = 0.004）与 PHT 完成时间呈强相关。本研究表明，PHT 体能筛查可能会严重限制 VFF 的合格人数，从而影响劳动力人数，并强调了制定特定和有效的消防员体能标准的必要性。结果还表明了 PHT 表现与消防员心肺功能和局部肌肉耐力之间的密切关系。那些为 PHT 做准备的人应该在进行 PHT 前的几周和几个月里，将训练重点放在这些体能组成部分上。
