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Tactical Strength and Conditioning

(50) ASSOCIATION OF LOAD CARRIAGE INDEX TO FIRE SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES

Thursday, July 13, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Milano III-IV
Abstract Details: Firefighters are routinely assigned the tasks of carrying external loads consisting of equipment and gear ranging from 20-35kg.  The additional external load is standard but not personalized resulting in firefighters carrying inconsistent amounts of dead mass (DM) that may impact duty.  A novel way to categorize load assignment is based on firefighter body composition and the mass of the external load.  The load carriage index (LCI) = (lean body mass)/(fat mass + external load) is the proportion of lean body mass to compared to their DM.  Physical abilities tests are often used to determine physical readiness of firefighters and consist of a battery of simulated fire-suppression activities (sFSA).  Employing the use of the LCI when assigning firefighter loads may result in more effective performance of sFSA such as the hose drag, rescue, ladder raise, and forcible entry drills. 

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine possible associations between the load carriage index (LCI) and fire suppression activities (FSA) in career male firefighters.

Methods: Male career firefighters (n=18, 35+/-8 yrs) completed a bioelectrical impedance body composition assessment (20.01±8.13) followed by a series of four sFSA consisting of hose drag, rescue, ladder raise, and forcible entry.  The sFSA were completed with a 22.6kg weighted vest in a continuous circuit with rest allowed only while walking to the subsequent task.  Time in seconds for the hose drag (12.88±2.54), rescue (15.66±2.89), ladder raise (25.05±3.24), and forcible entry (3.05±1.11) was collected.  Bivariate correlations were used to determine the association of the LCI (1.71±.351) with time from each of the four sFSA.  Alpha level was set a priori at .05. 

Results: Of the four sFSA, only the hose drag (r = - .519; p = .043) and the ladder raise (r= -.504; p = .033) demonstrated a significant negative association with the LCI. 

Conclusion: Of the four sFSA assessed, both the hose drag and ladder raise were the only two in which the candidate had to manage the inclusion of an external load other than the weighted vest indicating as LCI increase better sFSA performance occurred.  The significant relationship between LCI and the two fire sFSA indicate the LCI may be used as a tool for assigning loads to be carried while considering the additional DM. Practical Application: The LCI is a novel technique to standardized loads carried based on body mass and the inclusion of an external load while performing sFSA.

Acknowledgements:

Acknowledgements: The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) grant number HR18-054. The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.