2.3.2. Performance Testing
STRUCK
Participants then completed a maximal effort, 3.5 km time trial on an air-braked cycle ergometer (Assault Bike, Assault Fitness Products, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Firefighters were instructed to complete the time trial as fast as possible. Time to completion (s) was recorded. On a separate day (within 48 h of the time trial), firefighters completed a battery of occupation-specific firefighter tasks. These tasks included a hose carry, body drag, stair climb, and forcible entry (Keiser sled hammer) for time. For the hose carry, firefighters advanced a 30.48 m section of a charged 4.45 cm hose line over a distance of 30.5 m in a straight line before flowing water for 2 s. Rescue (body drag) consisted of firefighters being instructed to grasp a mannequin (mass 50 kg, height: 180 cm) underneath the shoulders using a “seatbelt” grip and dragging the mannequin 30.5 m backward. Stair climb consisted of climbing four flights of stairs and returning to the bottom as quickly as possible. In the forcible entry, firefighters struck a simulated forcible entry chopping device (Keiser FORCE Machine, Keiser Co., Fresno, CA, USA) using a 3.6 kg sledgehammer until completed. Thirty seconds of rest was provided between each task to allow for standardized time for set up and preparation. The total time to complete each task was recorded in addition to the total completion time for all tasks summed together. All testing was completed in non-protective gear attire and without a self-contained breathing apparatus.