Age-Related changes in Upper Body Strength of Italian Firefighters

Considering that the decrease in strength can be observedwith aging and that muscular endurance and strength are essential factors for firefighting effectiveness in critical situations (Michaelides et al. 2008), the aim of this studywas to evaluate theUpper Body (UBS) and Grip (GS) Strength of Italian Firefighters and to compare the results in relation to the age. Bench press (1RM, kg) and Maximal peak grip strength (MPGS, N) were used to analysed 185 firefighters (age: 38 ± 8 yr; height: 1.77 ± 0.06 cm, weight: 76.6 ± 8.6 kg, BMI: 24.2 ± 2.2 kg m.2). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to anthropometric and physical fitness values to assess significant difference (p.05) between age groups: B30 yrs, 31–35 yrs, 36–40 yrs, 41–45 yrs, and [45 yrs. When a significant effect was found, post hoc Fisher protected least significant difference were used. Anthropometric values showed differences among ages groups for height and BMI. Despite 1RM showed significant differences among age group (F(4.178) = 6.96; p.001), no statistical differences emerged between age group in MPGS values. In particular, 1RM showed no difference between yr 31–35 age groups and significant a decrease in 36–40 yr group. A decrease of 14 % in 1RM was reached betweenyrs and[45yrs. The results of this study could provide useful information to development appropriate UBS conditioning programs to increase the job performance and decrease the percentage of risks due to increased age in firefighters. With the knowledge of the limiting factors of age in strength performance of firefighters, the strength and conditioning firefighters instructor can more effectively tailor the training so that a job performance increase can be achieved in safety.