BRACE: Building resiliency in academy firefighter candidates through exercise

Szamocki, Maddy R.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127270 Copy

Description

Title

BRACE: Building resiliency in academy firefighter candidates through exercise

Author(s)

Szamocki, Maddy R.

Issue Date

2024-12-10

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Petruzzello, Steven J

Department of Study

Health and Kinesiology

Discipline

Kinesiology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• firefighting
• prior military service
• resilience
• fitness
• training academy

Abstract

Background: The transition from military service to civilian careers in high-intensity professions, such as firefighting, may influence both physical and psychological outcomes. The present study examines the effects of prior military service on firefighter candidates’ (FCs) physical fitness and dispositional resilience during a 7-week State Fire Academy. Specifically, the study aimed to compare fitness levels and psychological resilience between FCs with prior military service (FF-PMS) and FCs without military experience (FF), as well as to explore the relationship between physical fitness and dispositional resilience. Methods: Firefighter candidates (N = 122; n = 17, prior military service; M = 117, F = 5; 25.7 ±4.5 yrs; 27.7±4.1 kg/m2) physical fitness and dispositional resilience was assessed at Week 1 and Week 7 during a firefighter training academy. Physical fitness was assessed via push-ups, sit ups, hand grip strength, sit-and-reach flexibility, and a 1.5-mile timed run. Resilience was assessed via the Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS-15). Results: FF and FF-PMS improved in measures of fitness and body composition over the course of the Academy, with no significant difference between FF and FF-PMS. However, at baseline, FF-PMS outperformed FF in sit-up repetitions [t(121)= 2.655, p= .009] and 1.5-mile run times [t(118)= -1.980, p= .050]. Regarding dispositional resilience, no significant differences were observed between groups at baseline. However, at the final assessment, FF-PMS demonstrated a significantly higher composite resilience score compared to FF [t(41)= 2.274, p= .028]. Resilience in FF decreased significantly over the course of the Academy in Composite Resilience [t(33)= 5.055, p= <.001], and subscales Commitment [t(33)= 2.921, p= .006], Control [t(33)= 4.666, p< .001], and Challenge [t(33)= 2.266, p= .030], while FF-PMS showed no change, indicating that prior military service may buffer against declines in resilience. Finally, no significant correlations were found between physical fitness and resilience outcomes at either baseline or final assessments, although handgrip strength was weakly correlated with composite Resilience (r= -.383, p= .012), and the subscales Commitment (r= -.404, p= .008) and Control (r= -.503, p= <.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that prior military service confers both physical and psychological advantages during high-stress training environments such as firefighter academies. This study contributes new insights into the intersection of military training and firefighting, highlighting the potential benefits of military experience in shaping resilience and fitness outcomes.

Graduation Semester

2024-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127270

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Maddy Szamocki

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