Relationship between Body Mass Index, Dynamic Balance, and Core Muscle Endurance in Firefighter Candidates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year 2024, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 145 - 165, 05.10.2024

Mustafa Karataş

https://doi.org/10.53025/sportive.1506321

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of Body Mass Index (BMI) on dynamic balance and core muscle endurance in firefighter candidates. In physically demanding professions, such as firefighting, understanding the impact of BMI on physical performance metrics is crucial for both occupational safety and effectiveness. The study was conducted with 89 firefighter candidates, with a gender distribution of 23.6% female (n=21, age 19.86±1.86 years, height 1.64±0.05 m, weight 59.47±7.26 kg) and 76.4% male (n=68, age 19.82±1.25 years, height 1.78±0.04 m, weight 74.36±12.09 kg). Within the scope of the research, the results of the BMI, balance, and core muscle endurance tests were evaluated. BMI was calculated based on measurements of participant height and weight. Dynamic balance performance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test, while core muscle endurance was measured using the plank test. The performances of the participants in both tests were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression models were used to examine the relationships among BMI, dynamic balance, and core muscle endurance. The findings indicated that an increase in BMI has adverse effects on balance and core muscle endurance performance. Specifically, firefighter candidates with higher BMI values exhibited shorter plank durations (females: r=-0.63; p=0.002, males: r=-0.566; p<0.001) and lower scores on balance tests (females: r=-0.508; p=0.019, males: r=-0.435; p<0.001). These observations underscore the necessity of effectively managing BMI to maximize the health and occupational performance of firefighter candidates. The findings of this study that training programs for firefighter candidates should include BMI management, balance training, and core strengthening exercises. In conclusion, this study makes significant contributions toward improving firefighting training and safety standards by presenting methods with the potential to enhance the physical fitness and professional preparedness of firefighter candidates. Our research highlights the importance of BMI in the field of firefighting and serves as a valuable resource for developing occupational health and safety practices.

Keywords

Firefighter candidates, Body mass index (BMI), Dynamic balance, Core muscle endurance

İtfaiyeci Adaylarında VKİ, Dinamik Denge ve Çekirdek Kas Dayanıklılığı İlişkisi: Kesitsel Çalışma

Abstract

Bu araştırma, itfaiyeci adaylarında Vücut Kitle İndeksi (VKİ)'nin dinamik denge ve çekirdek kas dayanıklılığı üzerindeki etkilerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. İtfaiyecilik gibi fiziksel olarak talepkar bir meslek grubunda, VKİ'nin fiziksel performans ölçütleri üzerindeki etkilerinin anlaşılması hem mesleki güvenlik hem de etkinlik açısından kritik öneme sahiptir. Çalışma, 89 itfaiyeci adayı üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiş olup, katılımcılar %23,6'sı kadın (n:21, yaşları 19,86±1,86 yıl, boy uzunlukları 1,64±0,05 m ve ağırlıkları 59,47±7,26 kg) %76,4'ü erkek (n:68, yaşları 19,82±1,25 yıl, boy uzunlukları 1,78±0,04 m ve ağırlıkları 74,36±12,09 kg) olarak cinsiyete göre dağılım göstermiştir. Araştırmanın kapsamında, katılımcıların VKİ, denge ve çekirdek kas dayanıklılığı ölçüm testlerine ait sonuçlar değerlendirilmiştir. VKİ, katılımcıların boy ve ağırlıklarına bağlı ölçümlere dayalı olarak hesaplanmıştır. Dinamik denge performansını değerlendirmek için Y-Denge Testi uygulanmıştır. Çekirdek kas dayanıklılığı ise plank testi ile ölçülmüştür. Her iki testte de katılımcıların performansları kaydedilmiş ve bu veriler istatistiksel analizlere tabi tutulmuştur. Verilerin analizinde Pearson korelasyon analizi ve çoklu regresyon modelleri kullanılarak VKİ ile dinamik denge ve çekirdek kas dayanıklılığı arasındaki ilişkiler incelenmiştir. Bulgular, VKİ artışının, özellikle denge ve çekirdek kas dayanıklılığı performansları üzerinde olumsuz etkilere sahip olduğunu göstermiştir. Özellikle, yüksek VKİ değerlerine sahip itfaiyeci adaylarında, plank süresinde kısalma (kadınlar: r=-0,63; p=0,002, erkekler: r=-0,566; p<0,001) ve denge testlerinde daha düşük skorlar (kadınlar: r=-0,508; p=0,019, erkekler: r=-0,435; p<0,001) gözlemlenmiştir. Bu gözlemler, itfaiyeci adaylarının sağlığını ve mesleki performansını maksimize etmek için VKİ'nin etkin bir şekilde yönetilmesi gerektiğinin altını çizmektedir. Çalışmanın bulguları, itfaiyeci adaylarının eğitim programlarına VKİ yönetimi, denge antrenmanları ve çekirdek bölgesi güçlendirme egzersizlerinin dahil edilmesi gerektiğini öne sürmektedir. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışma, itfaiyeci adaylarının fiziksel uygunluk ve mesleki hazırlıklarını artırma potansiyeline sahip yöntemler sunarak, itfaiyecilik eğitim ve güvenlik standartlarını iyileştirme yönünde önemli bir katkı sağlamaktadır. Araştırmamız, itfaiyecilik alanında VKİ'nin önemini vurgulayarak, mesleki sağlık ve güvenlik pratiklerinin geliştirilmesi için değerli bir kaynak sunmaktadır.

Keywords

İtfaiyeci adayları, Vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ), Dinamik denge, Çekirdek kas dayanıklılığı

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