Fit for Fire: A 10-Week Low-Cost HIFT Experiential Learning Initiative between Underrepresented Kinesiology Undergraduates and Hypertensive Deconditioned Firefighters Improves Their Health and Fitness

Education Sciences

Da’Lynn Mills¹  Ximena Zornosa¹  Reginald Porter¹  Melanie Poudevigne¹  Eon Campbell²  Thomas Andre³  Christina Day⁴ 

[1] College of Health, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA 30260, USA;Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies at Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica, W.I.;Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, USA;Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;

关键词: firefighting;    experiential learning;    kinesiology;    hypertension;    teaching;    exercise physiology;   

DOI  :  10.3390/educsci11010033

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of an experiential learning initiative led by minority exercise science undergraduates and to observe the adaptations after a 10-week high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program in 34 underrepresented, hypertensive, and overweight/obese professional firefighters (PFF; age: 36.8 ± 11.0 years, body weight: 97.3 ± 21.5 kg, height: 181.7 ± 6.6 cm; BMI: 29.2 ± 4.9 kg/m²). Data were analyzed for muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, agility, flexibility, and readiness for change. The PFFs trained two to three times weekly during their work shifts at vigorous intensity for 40 min. Their resting diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate significantly decreased. Improvements in agility, muscular strength, and readiness for change were observed. This HIFT experiential learning initiative was feasible and beneficial and improved the PFFs’ health and physical fitness with limited resources. Accredited programs in exercise science participating in low-cost initiatives may aid in mitigating public service workers’ compensation and injury rates to better respond to occupational demands.

【 授权许可】

Unknown