T Reilly1, C Iggleden, M Gennser, M Tipton. 1. Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK. tara.reilly@port.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: No task-based fitness standard currently exists for beach lifeguards (BLGs). AIM: To formulate an easily administered fitness test for BLGs based on the physical demands identified in Phase 1 of the project (previous paper). METHODS: A range of anthropometric and land- and water-based (swimming pool and flume) fitness assessments were administered to 25 male and female volunteer subjects (13 BLGs from the UK). RESULTS: The mean (SD) VO(2max) (l/min) were 3.04 (0.61) for towing a casualty, 2.08 (0.53) for board paddling with a casualty and 2.97 (0.67) for freestyle swimming. A significant correlation (r = -0.82, P < 0.001) was identified between distance paddled in the sea in 3.5 min (established in Phase 1) and pool 400-m front crawl swim time and between towing VO(2max) and deltoid circumference/log(10) 400-m front crawl swim time (r = -0.83, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The regression identified allows the conclusion that if a BLG can swim 400-m front crawl in a pool in <7.5 min, he/she should be able to paddle 310 m in the sea in <3.5 min. Final recommendations for a fitness test for potential BLGs are presented.
BACKGROUND: No task-based fitness standard currently exists for beach lifeguards (BLGs). AIM: To formulate an easily administered fitness test for BLGs based on the physical demands identified in Phase 1 of the project (previous paper). METHODS: A range of anthropometric and land- and water-based (swimming pool and flume) fitness assessments were administered to 25 male and female volunteer subjects (13 BLGs from the UK). RESULTS: The mean (SD) VO(2max) (l/min) were 3.04 (0.61) for towing a casualty, 2.08 (0.53) for board paddling with a casualty and 2.97 (0.67) for freestyle swimming. A significant correlation (r = -0.82, P < 0.001) was identified between distance paddled in the sea in 3.5 min (established in Phase 1) and pool 400-m front crawl swim time and between towing VO(2max) and deltoid circumference/log(10) 400-m front crawl swim time (r = -0.83, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The regression identified allows the conclusion that if a BLG can swim 400-m front crawl in a pool in <7.5 min, he/she should be able to paddle 310 m in the sea in <3.5 min. Final recommendations for a fitness test for potential BLGs are presented.
Authors: Marie-Christine J Plat; Monique H W Frings-Dresen; Judith K Sluiter Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2010-02-11 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Sergio López-García; Brais Ruibal-Lista; José Palacios-Aguilar; Miguel Santiago-Alonso; José Antonio Prieto Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-25 Impact factor: 3.390