Optimizing Functional Strength in Firefighter Recruits: A Training Program Developed via Modified Nominal Group Technique
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64917/fmcs-010Keywords:
Functional strength, firefighter training, tactical populations, modified Nominal Group TechniqueAbstract
Firefighting requires high levels of functional strength to safely and effectively perform physically demanding tasks under extreme conditions. Traditional training approaches often fail to address the specific occupational needs of firefighter recruits. This study aimed to develop a targeted functional strength training program using a modified Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to integrate expert consensus into program design. The multidisciplinary panel consisted of exercise physiologists, veteran firefighters, physical therapists, and fire academy instructors. Through a structured series of workshops, key performance tasks were identified and aligned with evidence-based strength training modalities. The resulting 12-week program emphasized movement patterns such as lifting, dragging, climbing, and carrying, all mapped to job-specific demands. Preliminary feedback from pilot implementations indicated improvements in task-specific performance and reduced injury risk. This participatory approach highlights the value of expert-driven, context-specific training design in tactical populations.
References
Kerrigan D, Moss J. Firefighter Functional Fitness: The Essential Guide to Optimal Firefighter Performance and Longevity. USA: Firefighter Toolbox LLC; 2016. 313 p.
Feto Y, Fountaine C. General Principles of Exercise Prescription. In: Liguori G, Feito Y, Fountaine C, Roy B, editors. ACSM’S Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 11th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2022. p. 142–66.
AL Busafi M. The Importance of Physical Fitness Programs for Firefighters. J Phys Educ 2021;33(2):171–6.
Bushman B. Improving your aerobic fitness. In: Bushman B, editor. Complete Guide to Fitness and Health. 2nd ed. USA: American College of Sports Medicine; 2017. p. 79–100.
Noor Dalila Inchi Zainal Abidin. Firefighter Functional Fitness: Issues and Solution. Kuala Lumpur; 2024.
Perintah Tetap Ketua Pengarah. Perlaksanaan Ujian Individual Physical Proficiency Test [Internet]. Vol. Bil 2, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia. 2014. p. 22. Available from: https://www.bomba.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ippt.pdf
National Fire Protection Association. NFPA code 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. US; 2021.
O’Connell ER, Thomas PC, Cady LD, Karwasky RJ. Energy costs of simulated stair climbing as a job-related task in fire fighting. J Occup Med. 1986;28:282–4.
Ainsworth B, Haskell W, Herrmann S, Meckes N, Bassett D, Tudor-Locke C, et al. 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities. Med Sci Sport Exerc [Internet]. 2011 Aug;43(8):1575–81. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/00005768-201108000-00025
Kollock R, Thomas J, Hale D, Sanders G, Long A, Dawes J, et al. The Effects of Firefighter Equipment and Gear on the Static and Dynamic Postural Stability of Fire Cadets. Gait Posture [Internet]. 2021 Jul;88(4):292–6. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0966636221002277
Dunham RB. Nominal Group Technique: A Users’ Guide [Internet]. 1988. Available from: https://sswm.info/sites/default/files/reference_attachments/DUNHAM 1998 Nominal Group Technique - A Users’ Guide.pdf
FitnessHealth101. Push/Push Weight Training Program [Internet]. 2025. Available from: https://www.fitnesshealth101.com/fitness/weight-training/strength-training/pushpush-program
Wiggins ST, Colby S, Moret L, McElrone M, Olfert MD, Riggsbee K, et al. A modified nominal group technique (mNGT)-finding priorities in research. Am J Health Behav. 2020;44(3):345–52.
Ebben WP, Wurm B, Vander Zanden TL, Spadavecchia ML, Durocher JJ, Bickham CT, et al. Kinetic Analysis of Several Variations of Push-Ups. J Strength Cond Res [Internet]. 2011 Oct;25(10):2891–4. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/00124278-201110000-00031
Kikuchi N, Nakazato K. Low-load bench press and push-up induce similar muscle hypertrophy and strength gain. J Exerc Sci Fit [Internet]. 2017 Jun;15(1):37–42. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1728869X17301028
Topend Sport Network. Push Up [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Mar 26]. Available from: https://www.topendsports.com/testing/tests/home-pushup.htm
Yang J, Christophi CA, Farioli A, Baur DM, Moffatt S, Zollinger TW, et al. Association Between Push-up Exercise Capacity and Future Cardiovascular Events Among Active Adult Men. JAMA Netw open [Internet]. 2019;2(2):e188341. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6484614/
Fisher J, Steele J, Bruce-Low S, Smith D. Evidence-Based Resistance Training Recommendations. Med Sport [Internet]. 2011 Sep 1;15(3):147–62. Available from: http://versita.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&id=doi:10.2478/v10036-011-0025-x
Yi Rong Tan, Farid Wajdi Mahyuddin, Norhayati Mahyuddin. MATEC Web of Conferences. In: The analysis of fire losses and characteristics of residential fires based on investigation data in Selangor, 2012-2014. 2016.
Lindberg AS, Oksa J, Antti H, Malm C. Multivariate Statistical Assessment of Predictors of Firefighters’ Muscular and Aerobic Work Capacity. Piacentini MF, editor. PLoS One [Internet]. 2015 Mar 16;10(3):e0118945. Available from: https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118945
Songsorn P, Somnarin K, Jaitan S, Kupradit A. The effect of whole-body high-intensity interval training on heart rate variability in insufficiently active adults. J Exerc Sci Fit [Internet]. 2022 Jan;20(1):48–53. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1728869X21000435
Fang SC, Wu YL, Tsai PS. Heart Rate Variability and Risk of All-Cause Death and Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies. Biol Res Nurs [Internet]. 2020 Jan 26;22(1):45–56. Available from: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1099800419877442
Herrmann SD, Willis EA, Ainsworth BE, Barreira T V., Hastert M, Kracht CL, et al. 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities: A third update of the energy costs of human activities. J Sport Heal Sci [Internet]. 2024 Jan;13(1):6–12. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2095254623001084
Kruskall L. Weight Management. In: Bushman B, editor. Complete Guide to Fitness and Health [Internet]. 2nd ed. USA: American College of Sports Medicine; 2017. p. 351–68. Available from: https://www.calameo.com/read/00665682252ac0fc91e3e
Speakman JR. Obesity and thermoregulation. Handb Clin Neurol [Internet]. 2018;156:431–43. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780444639127000266
Mathias KC, Wu Y, Stewart DF, Smith DL. Differences in 5-year weight change between younger and older US firefighters. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2021 Dec 24;21(1):1215. Available from: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-11266-x
Witzke K, Winters-Stone K. Osteoporosis and Bone Health. In: Bushman B, editor. Complete Guide to Fitness and Health. 2nd ed. USA: American College of Sports Medicine; 2017. p. 321–38.
Welle S, Thornton C, Jozefowicz R, Statt M. Myofibrillar protein synthesis in young and old men. Am J Physiol Metab [Internet]. 1993 May 1;264(5):E693–8. Available from: https://www.physiology.org/doi/10.1152/ajpendo.1993.264.5.E693
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Assessing the Need for Clinical Trials of Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Testosterone and Aging [Internet]. Liverman C, Blazer D, editors. Clinical Research Direction. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press; 2004. Available from: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10852
Volpi E, Nazemi R, Fujita S. Muscle tissue changes with aging. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care [Internet]. 2004 Jul;7(4):405–10. Available from: http://journals.lww.com/00075197-200407000-00009
Tieland M, Trouwborst I, Clark BC. Skeletal muscle performance and ageing. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle [Internet]. 2018 Feb;9(1):3–19. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcsm.12238.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Ahmad Hafizul Rahman, PhD, Dr. Jack P. Reynolds, PhD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain the copyright of their articles published in this journal. All articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are properly cited.