A Preliminary Study On The Development Of A Physical Fitness And Performance Battery For Firefighters

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the minimum physical fitness standards that should be considered for firefighter candidates in our country and to create a Firefighter Test Battery. Method: In order to keep the physical fitness of firefighters at a high level, many countries such as Canada, England and Germany periodically carry out physical fitness assessments with Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). However, there is no such practice in our country. As in international examples, the institutionalisation of CPAT-like assessment protocols by adapting a Turkey-specific version is of great importance in terms of both increasing professional competence and ensuring job security. Results: In this review study, the widely used firefighter physical competence tests in the literature were systematically analysed and CPAT and similar occupational simulation-based assessments were highlighted. In addition, variables such as body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength-muscular endurance and flexibility, which are among the health-related physical fitness health components, are discussed in detail. Considering the structural and institutional conditions in Turkey, the adaptability of existing test batteries was discussed and recommendations were presented. Conclusion: The study supports the need for a standardised, scientifically based assessment system for firefighters. This review aims to contribute to the related literature and propose a field-based assessment framework that can be used for in-service training, task competence and occupational risk mitigation.

Keywords

• firefighting
• physical fitness
• simulation-based assessment
• performance testing,

İtfaiyecilere Ait Fiziksel Uygunluk ve Performans Bataryasının Geliştirilmesine Yönelik Öncü Bir Çalışma

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, ülkemizdeki itfaiyeci adaylar için dikkate alınması gereken minimum fiziksel uygunluk standartlarının belirlenmesi ve “İtfaiyeci Test Bataryası” oluşturulmasına yönelik öncü bir çalışmadır. Yöntem: İtfaiyecilerin fiziksel kondisyonunu yüksek düzeyde tutmak için Kanada, İngiltere ve Almanya gibi birçok ülke periyodik olarak Aday Fiziksel Yetenek Testi & Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) ile fiziksel uygunluk değerlendirmeleri yapmaktadır. Ancak ülkemizde böyle bir uygulama mevcut değildir. Uluslararası örneklerde olduğu gibi, CPAT benzer değerlendirme protokollerinin Türkiye’ye özgü versiyonu uyarlanarak kurumsallaştırılması hem meslekî yeterliliğin artırılması hem de görev güvenliğinin sağlanması açısından büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bulgular: Bu derleme çalışmada, literatürde yaygın olarak kullanılan itfaiyeci fiziksel yeterlilik testleri sistematik biçimde incelenmiş, özellikle CPAT ve benzeri mesleki simülasyon tabanlı değerlendirmeler öne plana çıkarılmıştır. Ayrıca, sağlıkla ilişkili fiziksel uygunluk sağlık bileşenleri arasında yer alan vücut kompozisyonu, kardiyorespiratuvar dayanıklılık, kassal kuvvet-kassal dayanıklılık ve esneklik gibi değişkenler detaylı şekilde ele alınmıştır. Türkiye'deki yapısal ve kurumsal koşullar dikkate alınarak mevcut test bataryalarının uyarlana bilirliği tartışılmış ve öneriler sunulmuştur. Sonuç: Çalışma, itfaiyeciler için standardize edilmiş, bilimsel temelli bir değerlendirme sistemine duyulan ihtiyacı desteklemektedir. Bu derleme, ilgili alan yazına katkı sunmayı ve hizmet içi eğitim, görev yeterliliği ve mesleki risklerin azaltılması amacıyla kullanılabilecek saha temelli bir değerlendirme çerçevesi önermeyi hedeflemektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• itfaiyecilik
• fiziksel uygunluk
• iş simülasyonu
• performans testi

Kaynakça

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