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Validity and relevance of the pack hike wildland firefighter work capacity test: a review
journal contribution
posted on 2010-10-01, 00:00 authored by Aaron Petersen, Warren PayneWarren Payne, Matthew Phillips, Kevin Netto, D Nichols, Brad AisbettBrad AisbettFighting wildland fire is a physically demanding occupation. Wildland firefighters need to be physically fit to work safely and productively. To determine whether personnel are fit for duty, many firefighting agencies employ physical competency tests, such as the pack hike test (PHT). The PHT involves a 4.83-km hike over level terrain carrying a 20.4-kg pack within a 45-min period. The PHT was devised to test the job readiness of US wildland firefighters but is also currently used by some fire agencies in Australia and Canada. This review discusses the history and development of the PHT with emphasis on the process of test validation. Research-based training advice for the PHT is given, as well as discussion of the risks associated with completing the PHT. Different versions and modifications to the PHT have emerged in recent years and these are discussed with regard to their validity. Finally, this review addresses the relevance and validity of the PHT for Australian and Canadian wildland firefighters.
History
Journal
ErgonomicsVolume
53Issue
10Pagination
1276 - 1285Publisher
Taylor & FrancisLocation
Oxford, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0014-0139eISSN
1366-5847Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2010, Taylor & FrancisUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
firefighterpack hike testphysical employment standardswork capacityScience & TechnologySocial SciencesTechnologyEngineering, IndustrialErgonomicsPsychology, AppliedPsychologyEngineeringLOAD-CARRIAGEENERGY-EXPENDITUREWILDFIRE SUPPRESSIONPHYSICAL-ACTIVITYPROJECT-AQUARIUSPHYSIOLOGICAL-RESPONSESBRITISH-ARMYPERFORMANCERESISTANCEFITNESS
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