Estimating the maximum aerobic capacity of fire fighters using the step test; a case study by a height adjustable step

Firefighting is one of the jobs that because of its job nature and high physical demands, required high physical and aerobic power. This study aimed at estimating the maximum work capacity of firefighters using the step test utilizing a height adjustable step.
Material and This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 73 of firefighter. At first, demographic information was collected by questionnaire. Then a step with adjustable height was built and maximum aerobic capacities of participants were examined using Francis method. The results of the questionnaire and the step test were analyzed by SPSS 16 software.
the Pearson correlation coefficients of validity and reliability tests for the step used in the present study were obtained 0.979 and 0.983, respectively. Average maximum aerobic capacity of firefighters was calculated 3.65 (L.min-1) and 47.4 (ml.kg-1.min-1). Moreover, the results of statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between body mass index and exercise and maximum aerobic capacity (p˂0.05). Also, there was not found any significant relationship among the maximum aerobic capacity, age, smoking and work-related fatigue (p>0.05).
The results of this study showed that Maximal oxygen uptake (vo2 max) and cardiopulmonary capacity of examined firefighters are greater than the minimum amount recommended by the international association of firefighters that can be due to the regular physical fitness programs conducted by the organization.