Evaluation of validity and capability of professional function test of Iranian firemen

  Aims: Firemen must have appropriate physical fitness in order to do their tasks perfectly and perform their special function under different and critical conditions with the least mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correctness and capability of Iranian male firefighters’ functional tests proportionate to their cardiovascular fitness.   Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed in 2010. 25 newly employed firemen with the age range of 23-36 were selected voluntarily by available sampling, from among 90 employment applicants of four firefighting stations of Tehran. Iran and Hong Kong’s index functional tests were held in standard condition and the temperature of 19-21 centigrade degrees. The firefighters’ aerobic power was evaluated by direct method of respiratory gas analysis. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and linear regression were used for data analysis.   Results: Firefighters’ VO2 max had a weak correlation with Index tests of Hong Kong (R=0.23 and SEE=0.03) and Iran (R=0.03 and SEE=0.15) that was not statistically significant (p>0.05).   Conclusion: Although having the threshold aerobic power is the desirable level for evaluation of firefighters’ cardiovascular fitness in this hazardous career, the studied population lacks appropriate physical fitness considering the special function in relief missions and firefighting. Revision and editing of the components of firefighters’ functional tests is recommended.