2.2. Participants
musculoskeletal or neurological condition
Thirty active-duty male structural firefighters were enrolled (age: 34.4 ± 8.4 yrs., height: 1.82 ± 0.07 m; weight: 88.6 ± 12.5 kg; BF%: 17.2 ± 5.8%) in the current study. Inclusion criteria included being between the ages of 18–55 years of age and medically cleared for field duty. Exclusion criteria included a current musculoskeletal or neurological condition that would prohibit the completion of performance testing. A 4-week washout period was implemented for anyone who reported current use of supplemental protein and creatine. All participants signed an institutionally approved informed consent form in accordance with the University of Wisconsin La Crosse’s Institutional Review Board (Approved on: 2 June 2023; IRB# 23-KE-137) and Human Subject Research Guidelines.