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PFT1222 - Resistance Training and Assessment Module 6: Lesson 1

Needs Analysis: Firefighter


January 30th, 2013

Movement Analysis: Actions/Patterns of activities: - (1) kick down doors (one leg planted, other leg raises) - (2) slide down poles (arms and legs wrapped around pole) - (3) carry people (like a "baby", not including walking) - (4) smash walls (downswing of hammer) - (5) hold hose and extinguish fires (one planted foot in front; torso rotates) - (6) looking around for danger (side to side; up and down) Movement mechanics: - (1) hip flexion and knee extension - (2) hip adduction, knee flexion, elbow flexion, finger and wrist flexion, horizontal shoulder adduction - (3) elbow, finger and wrist flexion, supination of the forearm - (4) shoulder flexion, elbow extension, medial wrist flexion - (5) one elbow extension, one elbow flexion, flexion of the wrist and fingers, spinal rotation, hip and knee flexion in one leg - (6) head rotation, neck flexion and extension Anatomy/ Muscles involved: - hip flexion: Iliacus, psoas major and minor, rectus femoris, sartorius, pectineus, - knee extension: rectus femoris, vastus intermedius/ lateralis/ medialis, - hip adduction: adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, gracilis - knee flexion: semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus - elbow flexion: biceps brachii, brachialis, brachioradialis, - finger flexion: flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, - wrist flexion: flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, - horizontal shoulder adduction: pectoralis major, coracobrachialis, anterior deltoid, - supination of the forearm: supinator, brachioradialis, pronator teres, pronator quadratus, biceps brachii (2) - shoulder flexion: pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, coracobrachialis, biceps brachii - elbow extension: Triceps Brachii, anconeus - spinal rotation: external/internal oblique, multifidus, rotatores, semispinalis cervicis/thoracis -Head rotation: Erector Spinae (3), splenius capitis/cervicis, sternocleidomatoid, semispinalis capitis -Neck flexion/ extension: Rectus capitis (4) , sternocleidomastoid, longissimus, iliocostalis, longus capitis

Metabolic / Energy Analysis ATP-PC / Phosphagen: As a firefighter, I need to have the ability to rush in and out of burning buildings very quickly to save people from the heat of the fire, the smoke and the possibility of the building collapsing. When I only have a less than 30 seconds between life and death... I need to move quickly. During this time, I am using my ATP-PC / Phosphagen energy system. I would say I use this system only 25% of the time during an average day because I am not always faced with a life or death situation that requires me to give all I've got to ensure the survival of others or my own. Lactic / Anaerobic Glycolysis: As a firefighter, there are many things I need to accomplish in a short amount of time. Sometimes, when I need to accomplish lots in just a couple minutes of time, I will be using my Lactic / Anaerobic Glycolysis energy system. I am using this energy system when the high intensity activity requires more than 30 seconds to complete. For example, when I need to climb tall ladders and break through certain obstructions to get to a certain place or group of people in under 2 minutes. I would say I only use this energy system 15% of the time because for the most part, my body is needed to last a long duration which uses my oxidative energy system or I am giving it my all, as quickly as possible and using my ATPPC system . Oxidative / Aerobic Glycolysis: As a firefighter, my Oxidative / Aerobic Glycolysis energy system is especially important because of the long hours and extensive, strenuous activities I must do to help people. For example, when people's lives aren't being jeopardized but I still have a fire to put out, I will use this particular energy system. At times, I will have to climb many stairs, walk long distances or run and control a water hose for a long period of time until the fire is completely extinguished. My cardiovascular and muscular endurance are very important in my job because when there is danger, I cannot afford to take any breaks. I would say I use this energy system 60% of the time because majority of the time there is a strenuous task to be completed that requires me to be able to endure that activity until the end.

Injury Analysis Potential Acute Injuries: -Firefighters are likely to have an acute injury due to trauma. For example: Building/objects falling down on them. -The job of a firefighter can be very strenuous and they can easily pull a ligament or dislocate something by moving in the slightest wrong direction especially if they have an external load with or on them at the same too. Potential Chronic Injuries: -Firefighters can develop inhalation injuries through consistent exposure to chemicals or smoke which can result in lung and airway malfunction or even death. -Firefighters do many repetitive motions which will result in an overuse injury and if not treated immediately, the severity of the injury will increase.

Individual Analysis Experience with Activity: I have been a certified firefighter for close to 2 years now. I also use to do volunteer firefighting before I was accepted into the program. That lasted about 2 years. Experience with Resistance Training: I started weight training 1 year after I started the volunteering. So it's been about 3 years now. I was off and on for the first year and a half and then kept pretty consistent for the last year and a half. History of Injury: I have had two ACL reconstructive knee surgeries. First one was 6 years ago after a basketball incident. And the second was 4 years due to a skating mishap this time. The last injury and surgery really added some extra difficulties to my firefighter training. Imbalances / Posture / Dominant Patterns: I am naturally left-handed, however, I have been training my right side a bit extra to try and even the imbalance out. As far as major muscular imbalances go, I'm aware of only one that I have noticed. After a postural analysis done while I was going to school, I discovered I had a bit of an anterior pelvic tilt. Sometimes, when my knee is hurting me, I will shift more of my body weight to the other leg.

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