A pragmatic strength and conditioning intervention for firefighters: Feasibility of the Tactical Athlete Resilience Program (TARP).

Sharp, P; Caperchione, CM; Brown, GA; Stadnyk, A; Marin, E; Hulin, B; Wade, J; Mott, B; Gabriel, M; Impellizzeri, F; Fullagar, HHK

A pragmatic strength and conditioning intervention for firefighters: Feasibility of the Tactical Athlete Resilience Program (TARP).

Sharp, P

Caperchione, CM Brown, GA Stadnyk, A Marin, E Hulin, B Wade, J Mott, B Gabriel, M Impellizzeri, F Fullagar, HHK

Permalink

Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health Promot J Austr, 2022
Issue Date:: 2022-09-02

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (850.18 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sharp, P https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5616-3181
dc.contributor.author	Caperchione, CM
dc.contributor.author	Brown, GA
dc.contributor.author	Stadnyk, A
dc.contributor.author	Marin, E
dc.contributor.author	Hulin, B
dc.contributor.author	Wade, J
dc.contributor.author	Mott, B
dc.contributor.author	Gabriel, M
dc.contributor.author	Impellizzeri, F
dc.contributor.author	Fullagar, HHK
dc.date.accessioned	2022-11-30T23:03:09Z
dc.date.available	2022-08-28
dc.date.available	2022-11-30T23:03:09Z
dc.date.issued	2022-09-02
dc.identifier.citation	Health Promot J Austr, 2022
dc.identifier.issn	1036-1073
dc.identifier.issn	2201-1617
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163936
dc.description.abstract	ISSUE ADDRESSED: Firefighting is physically and mentally taxing and recruits are expected to have optimal health and fitness. However, physical fitness tends to decline following initial training, placing firefighters at an increased risk for stress and injury. Efforts are needed to engage and support firefighters in maintaining adequate health and fitness to withstand the rigorous demands of their occupation. This study examined the feasibility of TARP, a pragmatic strength and conditioning intervention for metropolitan-based firefighters, delivered in collaboration with a professional National Rugby League club. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was utilised to examine program implementation, recruitment and sample characteristics, intervention satisfaction and acceptability, and participants' response to the intervention. Evaluation measures included field notes taken during steering committee meetings, participant flow data, baseline and follow-up outcome measures, self-report questionnaires, and telephone interviews with a sample of participants. RESULTS: Participants (N = 113) were predominantly men (82%) with a mean age of 43 ± 9.3 years and BMI of 26.6 ± 2.9 kg/m2 . Program satisfaction was high (95% very satisfied or somewhat satisfied) among program completers (42% retention). Key strengths of the program included delivery through the professional sports club, quality of facilities and equipment, and scheduling flexibility. Future programs should consider incorporating education or training to support behaviour change maintenance and strategies to retain participants at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide valuable insights into the design and delivery of interventions for firefighters and demonstrate the importance of strong partnerships between community stakeholders.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation	Fire and Rescue NSW
dc.relation.ispartof	Health Promot J Austr
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/hpja.656
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Public Health
dc.title	A pragmatic strength and conditioning intervention for firefighters: Feasibility of the Tactical Athlete Resilience Program (TARP).
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-11-30T23:03:07Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Firefighting is physically and mentally taxing and recruits are expected to have optimal health and fitness. However, physical fitness tends to decline following initial training, placing firefighters at an increased risk for stress and injury. Efforts are needed to engage and support firefighters in maintaining adequate health and fitness to withstand the rigorous demands of their occupation. This study examined the feasibility of TARP, a pragmatic strength and conditioning intervention for metropolitan-based firefighters, delivered in collaboration with a professional National Rugby League club. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was utilised to examine program implementation, recruitment and sample characteristics, intervention satisfaction and acceptability, and participants' response to the intervention. Evaluation measures included field notes taken during steering committee meetings, participant flow data, baseline and follow-up outcome measures, self-report questionnaires, and telephone interviews with a sample of participants. RESULTS: Participants (N = 113) were predominantly men (82%) with a mean age of 43 ± 9.3 years and BMI of 26.6 ± 2.9 kg/m2 . Program satisfaction was high (95% very satisfied or somewhat satisfied) among program completers (42% retention). Key strengths of the program included delivery through the professional sports club, quality of facilities and equipment, and scheduling flexibility. Future programs should consider incorporating education or training to support behaviour change maintenance and strategies to retain participants at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide valuable insights into the design and delivery of interventions for firefighters and demonstrate the importance of strong partnerships between community stakeholders.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163936