Research Impact: Exercise interventions are being studied and implemented among firefighters, but whether or not they are successful and effective has not been fully addressed. This meta-analysis included nine randomized controlled trials published prior to May 2018 that included active-duty firefighters, random allocation to an exercise intervention or comparison condition, and pre-post measures of health and/or fitness. Exercise training significantly improved body fat percentage (Δ=0.52), aerobic capacity (Δ=1.20), endurance (Δ=2.79), strength (Δ=1.44), and power (Δ=1.02). The magnitude of improvements varied based on the exercise mode (AET, RET, or AET+RET). Results supported positive effects of exercise training on health and fitness among firefighters.
Andrews K, Gallagher S, Herring MP (2019). Exercise effects on health and fitness of firefighters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. DOI: 10.1111/sms.13411. (IF: 3.623; C=; Q1 Sport Sciences; R=9/81)*
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