VALIDATION OF PHYSICAL TRAINING PROGRAMS APPLIED TO MILITARY FIREFIGHTERS

Abstract

The Fire Department of the Military Police of the State of São Paulo handles rescue, rescue and fire extinguishing incidents. This activity demands specific physical capabilities from firefighters, for example cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. Despite the existence of studies to standardize the physical training of these soldiers, there has not yet been validation that proves which program would be most appropriate. The objective of the research is to validate the physical training programs currently adopted by the corporation, selecting resistance training, functional training and crossfit. This is a methodological study, instrument validation. The study used the Delphi method, composed of a group of 25 expert judges selected through their knowledge and proven experience in the chosen methodologies. The content validity index (CVI) and internal consistency were measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In the first round, resistance training (IVC: 0.85) and functional training (IVC: 0.88) reached the validation point, while crossfit (IVC: 0.65) did not reach the minimum necessary index (0.70 – recommended by the method). Then, the experts' suggestions were selected, a new questionnaire was produced with the addition of characteristics adapted for the use of crossfit by firefighters and was sent for a 2nd round of analysis. The program called “adapted crossfit” reached a CVI of 0.89, therefore the results suggest that the 3 programs exposed in the work have validity and reliability to be implemented and used in the physical preparation of military firefighters.