Train-the-Trainer Delivered Exercise for Firefighters

Overseen By Gena Gerstner, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Disqualifiers: Highly active, Pregnancy, Recent injury, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 14

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new exercise program specifically designed for firefighters to improve their fitness and job performance. The Integrated Exercise Program includes a warm-up and high-intensity interval training, led by a peer trainer, and occurs twice a week for six weeks. Firefighters from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham, who are cleared for fire duties but do not currently exercise vigorously more than three times a week, are ideal candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, it offers firefighters the chance to enhance their fitness and job performance through this specially designed program.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this exercise program is safe for firefighters?

Research has shown that exercise programs for firefighters are generally safe and well-received. In one study, a 14-week exercise program improved firefighters' health and fitness without any serious problems. Another study found that a fitness program reduced injuries and claims among new firefighters. These results suggest that structured exercise programs can be both safe and helpful.

Regular exercise often increases firefighters' strength, endurance, and overall health, enhancing their ability to perform demanding tasks. Past research has not identified major safety issues, making these programs a promising way to boost firefighter fitness.

Overall, structured exercise programs for firefighters have demonstrated positive results with few safety concerns. Participants typically experience health benefits without significant negative effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Train-the-Trainer Delivered Exercise program because it offers a fresh approach to fitness for firefighters by leveraging peer-trainers. Unlike traditional exercise programs that might rely on external trainers or generic routines, this program is integrated directly within fire stations and tailored to the unique physical demands of firefighting. The focus on a neuromuscular warm-up combined with high-intensity interval training, delivered by a peer, makes it both practical and potentially more engaging for participants. This method could enhance adherence and effectiveness, ultimately improving firefighters' physical resilience and performance on the job.

What evidence suggests that this integrated exercise program is effective for firefighters?

Research has shown that exercise programs can greatly benefit firefighters. For instance, one study found that a 14-week exercise program improved firefighters' physical abilities and activity levels. Another program led to better results in fire ground tests, increased fitness, and stronger grip strength, with 86% of participants passing the test after completing the program. Additionally, exercise programs have been linked to reduced body fat and better muscle endurance. In this trial, the TRAINER group will receive an integrated exercise program, including a neuromuscular warm-up and high-intensity interval training, to assess its impact on fitness and preparedness for their demanding jobs. Meanwhile, the waitlist control group will not receive training during the study but will be offered the program afterward. These findings suggest that structured exercise programs can enhance firefighters' fitness and readiness for their challenging roles. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Eric Ryan, PhD

Principal Investigator

UNC Chapel Hill

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for career firefighters aged 18-60 who are medically cleared for fire duties and can consent to the study. It's not for those highly active in vigorous exercise, involved in injury lawsuits, pregnant, or recently injured.

Inclusion Criteria

A career firefighter from a local department (Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham)

Provide informed consent prior to any study procedures are performed

Medically cleared for fire suppression duties

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy

Highly active firefighters, defined as performing 4 or more days/week of vigorous exercise

Involved in an active workers' compensation or personal injury case

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo baseline assessments to evaluate initial conditions

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive a TRAINER delivered integrated exercise program, including neuromuscular warm-up and high intensity interval training, 2 times per week

6 weeks

12 sessions (in-person)

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants undergo post-testing to evaluate the effects of the intervention

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Integrated Exercise Program

Trial Overview The trial tests a new exercise program delivered by trained instructors over six weeks. Firefighters at participating stations will be randomly chosen to either start training immediately or wait (control group), with assessments before and after.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: TRAINER Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The TRAINER group will receive an integrated exercise program, led by a peer-trainer, including a neuromuscular warm-up and high intensity interval training at their respective fire stations 2 times per week for 6 weeks.

Group II: Waitlist Control Active Control 1 Intervention

The waitlist control group will not receive training during the course of the study, but will be offered the opportunity to receive the integrated exercise program after the study ends.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC)

Collaborator

Trials

44

Recruited

50,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7536599/

Evaluation of an Occupational Exercise Training Program ... A 14-week program of exercise training in firefighters elicited improvements in clinical, performance, and self-reported physical activity outcomes.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10248376/

A Pilot Investigation of Exercise Adherence on Fitness ... The study found that only 12.5% of firefighters adhered to the 75% minimum fitness policy, and those who did were more physically fit.

3. occup-med.biomedcentral.com occup-med.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12995-019-0232-2

Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on ... The TF20 program improved simulated fire ground test performance, VO2max, body composition, and grip strength, with 86% passing the test post- ...

4. digitalcommons.liberty.edu digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6307/

"The Impact of Human Performance Initiatives in Improving ... The program significantly improved body composition, muscular endurance, and both anaerobic and aerobic capacities, and reduced total injuries ...

5. nsca.com nsca.com/education/articles/tsac-report/physical-fitness-initiatives-in-the-fire-service-barriers-and-benefits/?srsltid=AfmBOop6gvCx8G2qX2Rlvz-Bkli7NE1-axk6h88ArOM4pczqPdcZstoB

Physical Fitness Initiatives in the Fire Service – Barriers ... calculated that exercise interventions among firefighters were capable of eliciting significant moderate-to-large improvements in body fat percentage (-7.73%), ...

6. apps.usfa.fema.gov apps.usfa.fema.gov/pdf/efop/efo46787.pdf

SURVIVE OR THRIVE 1 Firefighter Fitness Firefighters face high physical demands and lack of fitness increases health risks. Regular exercise is needed to reduce risk and improve job performance.

7. injuryprevention.bmj.com injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/22/3/181

Evaluation of a fitness intervention for new firefighters The intervention class experienced significantly fewer injuries overall and during the probationary year (p=0.009), filed fewer claims (p=0.028) and experienced ...