Utilizing multimodal high-intensity interval training for a firefighter training academy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Autor: Zachary A. Mang, Eric D. Vigil, Jason R. Beam
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Work. :1-11
ISSN: 1875-9270
1051-9815
Popis: BACKGROUND: Firefighters typically undergo a 16–24-week training academy during which they perform a variety of traditional exercise programs such as cardiovascular, resistance, and concurrent training. Because of limited facility access, some fire departments seek alternative exercise programs, such as multimodal high-intensity interval training (MM-HIIT), which essentially combines resistance and interval training. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effect of MM-HIIT on body composition and physical fitness in firefighter recruits who completed a training academy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A secondary purpose was to compare the effects of MM-HIIT to previous training academies that implemented traditional exercise programs. METHODS: Healthy and recreationally-trained recruits (n = 12) participated in 2-3 days/week of MM-HIIT for 12 weeks and had several components of body composition and physical fitness measured before and after the program. Because of COVID-19-related gym closures, all MM-HIIT sessions were performed outdoors at a fire station with minimal equipment. These data were retroactively compared to a control group (CG) that previously completed training academies with traditional exercise programs. RESULTS: Subjects in the MM-HIIT group significantly improved several components of body composition and fitness, including fat mass, fat-free mass, body fat percentage, aerobic capacity, and muscular endurance (p
Databáze: OpenAIRE