Preparing Firefighter Recruits to Successfully Pass and Tolerate the Demands of the CPAT

by Ian Bonder, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC, Andrew, Shim, EDD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, Mike Waller, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, USAW-L2, FNSCA, and Ty Wheeler, NREMT-P, FO, MO, CSCS
TSAC Report January 2024
Vol 70, Issue 5

Share:
Available to:
Members only
Audience:
TSAC Facilitators
Topics:
Program design

This article aims to provide information designed to assist firefighter recruits to achieve a successful Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) performance.

Paywall block issue

This article is not configured properly for members or paid content.
isMemberOnly: {{isMemberOnly}} | isPaidContent: {{isPaidContent}}
spc: One or more parts of the product SPC is missing.

Read the full article

View the video

Login to view more


{{discountDesc}} Valid thru {{discountEnds}}

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} is available with a NSCA membership

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} can be purchased for {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions

Purchase this {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}}. Price range: {{prices}}
Price range includes membership pricing and promotions

Become a Member Add to Cart Login

This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report 

Related Reading

Share:

References

  1. Canetti, EFD, Gayton, S, Schram, B, Pope, R, and Orr, RM. Psychological, physical, and heat stress indicators prior to and after a 15-minute structural firefighting task. Biology (Basel) 11(1): 104, 2022.
  2. Chizewski, A, Box, A, Kesler, RM, and Petruzzello, SJ. High intensity functional training (HIFT) improves fitness in recruit firefighters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(24): 13400, 2021.
  3. Fahy, R, Evarts, B, and Stein, G. U.S. fire department profile 2019. 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.nfpa. org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-andreports/ Emergency-responders/osfdprofile.pdf.
  4. Fyock-Martin, MB, Erickson, EK, Hautz, AH, Sell, K, Turnbaugh, B, Caswell, S, et al. What do firefighting ability tests tell us about firefighter physical fitness? A systematic review of the current evidence. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34(7): 2093-2103, 2020.
  5. Gledhill, N, and Jamnik, VK. Characterization of the physical demands of firefighting. Canadian Journal of Sport Science 17(3): 207-213, 1992.
  6. Herda, T, and Cramer, J. Bioenergetics of exercise and training. In: Haff GG, and Triplett NT, (Eds.), Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (4th ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 44, 2016.
  7. Hollerbach, BS, Jahnke, SA, Poston, WSC, Harms, CA, and Heinrich, KM. Examining a novel firefighter exercise training program on simulated fire ground test performance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and strength: A pilot investigation. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 14: 12, 2019.
  8. International Association of Fire Chiefs. IAFC Position: IAFC/ IAFF candidate physical ability test. 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.iafc.org/topics-and-tools/resources/ resource/iafc-position-iafc-iaff-candidate-physical-ability-test.
  9. International Association of Firefighters. The Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative Candidate Physical Ability Test 2nd Ed. USA: 2007. Retrieved March 2023 from https:// www.iaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CPAT-2nd-Edition.pdf
  10. Larose, J, Sigal, RJ, Khandwala, F, and Kenny, GP. Comparison of strength development with resistance training and combined exercise training in type 2 diabetes. Scandanavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 22(4): e45-e54, 2012.
  11. Mang, ZA, Vigil, ED, and Beam, JR. Utilizing multimodal highintensity interval training for a firefighter training academy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published ahead of print, February 27, 2023. Work 10: 3233, 2023.
  12. Martino, M, and Dabbs, N. Aerobic training program design. In Schoenfeld, BJ, and Snarr, RL (Eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training. (3rd ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 425-445, 2022.
  13. Michaelides, MA, Parpa, KM, Henry, LJ, Thompson, GB, and Brown, BS. Assessment of physical fitness aspects and their relationship to firefighters’ job abilities. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 25(4): 956-965, 2011.
  14. National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Technical Committee on Fire Service Occupational Safety and Health; Quincy, MA, USA: 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2022 from https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-andstandards/ list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1582.
  15. Reuter, B, and Dawes, J. Program design and technique for aerobic endurance training. In Haff, GG, and Triplett, NT, (Eds.), Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (4th ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 559-581, 2016.
  16. Saari, AI, Renz, G, Davis, P, and Abel, MG. The influence of age on firefighter combat challenge performance and exercise training habits. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34(9): 2500-2506, 2020.
  17. Schleppenbach, LN, Ezer, AB, Gronemus, SA, Widenski, KR, Braun, SI, and Janot, JM. Speed- and circuit-based high-intensity interval training on recovery oxygen consumption. International Journal of Exercise Science 10(7): 942-953, 2017.
  18. Schoenfeld, B, and Snarr, R. Resistance training program design. In: Schoenfeld, BJ, and Snarr, RL, (Eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training. (3rd ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 393-424, 2022.
  19. Sheaff, AK, Bennett, A, Hanson, ED, Kim, Y, Hsu, J, Shim, J, et al. Physiological determinants of the candidate physical ability test in firefighters. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 24(11): 3112-3122, 2010.
  20. Sheppard, J, and Triplett, N. Program design for resistance training. In: Haff, GG, and Triplett, NT, (Eds.), Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (4th ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 439-470, 2016.
  21. U.S. Fire Administration. National Fire Department Registry Quick Facts. Emmitsburg, MD, USA: 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023 from https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/registry/summary.
  22. Wilder, RP, Greene, JA, Winters, KL, Long, WB 3rd, Gubler, K, and Edlich, RF. Physical fitness assessment: An update. Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants 16(2): 193-204, 2006.
  23. Williams-Bell, FM, Villar, R, Sharratt, MT, and Hughson, RL. Physiological demands of the firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 41(3): 653-662, 2009.
About the author

Ian Bonder, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC

Contact Ian Bonder

Contact Ian Bonder

Your first name is required.
Your last name is required.
Your email is required.
Your message is required.
Your reCaptcha is required.

Your email was successfully sent to Ian Bonder

Ian Bonder is the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Warren Academy in Omaha, NE as well as an Adjunct Instructor at the College of Saint Mary a ...

View full biography
Photo of Andrew L. Shim, EdD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA
About the author

Andrew L. Shim, EdD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

Contact Andrew Shim

Contact Andrew Shim

Your first name is required.
Your last name is required.
Your email is required.
Your message is required.
Your reCaptcha is required.

Your email was successfully sent to Andrew Shim

Andrew Shim is the Program Director and Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Exercise Science at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE. He grad ...

View full biography
About the author

Michael Waller, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FNSCA

Arkansas Tech University

Contact Michael Waller

Contact Michael Waller

Your first name is required.
Your last name is required.
Your email is required.
Your message is required.
Your reCaptcha is required.

Your email was successfully sent to Michael Waller

Mike Waller is currently a Professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education at Arkansas Tech University. Waller earned his Doctorate in Ex ...

View full biography
About the author

Ty Michael Wheeler, CSCS

Contact Ty Wheeler

Contact Ty Wheeler

Your first name is required.
Your last name is required.
Your email is required.
Your message is required.
Your reCaptcha is required.

Your email was successfully sent to Ty Wheeler

Ty Wheeler is a Lieutenant with the Johnston-Grimes (IA) Metropolitan Fire Department and Part-Time Fire Chief in Granger, IA with more than 13 years ...

View full biography
Available to:
Members only
Audience:
TSAC Facilitators
Topics:
Program design
#NSCAStrong #NSCAStrong

has been added to your shopping cart!

Continue Shopping Checkout Now