Sport in the everyday life of a lifesaver

Press release 45/10 ? April 19, 2010

Kassel. Obesity and a lack of fitness are also increasingly common among firefighters. However, they have to be extremely resilient during operations in order to withstand the extreme working conditions. International experts from Germany, Canada and Switzerland discussed how reliable fitness tests are and how the necessary training can be integrated into everyday service at the "Firefighter Fitness and Diagnostics" symposium. The Institute of Sport and Sports Science at the University of Kassel, in cooperation with the Kassel Fire Department, hosted the first international exchange of knowledge on April 15 and 16.

Many local authorities already have ideas and approaches to fitness and health training. However, the various conference contributions made it clear that a uniform fitness concept and standards for fitness diagnostics are still lacking," summarized Prof. Dr. Armin Kibele, sports scientist at the University of Kassel, in the subsequent press conference.

There are currently no regulations for fire departments to carry out fitness tests and fixed training sessions. However, a number of studies have shown that working with breathing protection and firefighting clothing is very physically demanding. This poses considerable risks for inadequately trained firefighters. This can lead to overexertion with serious damage to health.

Sports scientist: regular training is essential
Alarmed by the noticeable deterioration in body mass index (BMI) and stress ECG values, "Schutz & Rettung Zürich", the largest rescue organization in Switzerland, developed a health concept for the professional fire department. It includes training on healthy eating during shift work and one hour of compulsory sport every working day. For volunteer fire departments, on the other hand, such a regulation is problematic: as the duty falls in the firefighters' free time, a fixed sports program cannot simply be prescribed.

According to Kibele, sport is essential for emergency services: "Fitness can only be achieved through regular training and uniform fitness standards". From a scientific point of view, endurance should be trained twice a week and strength, flexibility and coordination once a week. However, Karl-Heinz Krütt, Chief Fire Officer of the Kassel Fire Department, does not believe that making sport a statutory requirement is the right approach. All possibilities should be exhausted to motivate firefighters to take part in voluntary sport," said Krütt. This could be done, for example, through the fire department fitness badge. The planned badge is to be introduced as an award for good and versatile physical performance.

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Info
Prof. Dr. Armin Kibele
tel (0561) 804 5397
e-mail akibele(at)uni-kassel.de
University of Kassel
Department of Social Sciences