ABSTRACT Some scientific evidence shows that military personnel, including lifeguard firefighters, with high levels of physical fitness may be able to perform their work tasks more efficiently and make the best decisions. The present work aimed to investigate the correlation between anthropometric variables and physical performance in lifeguard firefighters. The sample consisted of 105 men, lifeguard firefighters from the military fire department of the state of Rio de Janeiro. On the first visit, the following procedures were performed: a) completion of the par-Q and the Informed Consent Form; b) anthropometric and body composition measurements. On the second visit, the following tests were performed: 1) 20-meter sprint; 2) zigzag COD; 3) Running Anaerobic Sprint Test. Positive correlations were observed between abdominal perimeter and time in the 20-meter sprint, time in the zig-zag COD, total time in the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test; between waist-to-hip ratio and time in the 20-meter sprint, total time in the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test. Furthermore, negative correlations were observed between abdominal perimeter and velocity in the 20-meter sprint, velocity in the zig-zag COD; between waist-to-hip ratio and speed in the 20-meter sprint. However, no correlations were observed between the perimeter of the abdomen and the fatigue index; between waist-to-hip ratio and zig-zag time and speed COD, fatigue index. it was verified that, in lifeguard firefighters, high scores of abdominal circumference and waist-to-hip ratio negatively influence physical performance.

RESUMO Algumas evidências mostram que militares, dentre eles os bombeiros guarda-vidas, com elevados níveis de aptidão física podem ser capazes de executar suas tarefas laborais com maior eficiência e tomar as melhores decisões. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar a correlação entre variáveis antropométricas e desempenho físico, em bombeiros guarda-vidas. A amostra foi composta por 105 homens, bombeiros guarda-vidas do corpo de bombeiros militares do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram observadas correlações positivas entre perímetro do abdômen e tempo no sprint de 20 metros, tempo no zig zag COD, tempo total no Running Anaerobic Sprint Test; entre relação cintura quadril e tempo no sprint de 20 metros, tempo total no Running Anaerobic Sprint Test. Além do mais, foram observadas correlações negativas entre perímetro do abdômen e velocidade no sprint de 20 metros, velocidade no zig zag COD; entre relação cintura quadril e velocidade no sprint de 20 metros. Entretanto, não foram observadas correlações entre perímetro do abdômen e índice de fadiga; entre relação cintura quadril e tempo e velocidade no zig zag COD, índice de fadiga. Verifica-se que, em bombeiros guarda-vidas, elevados escores de circunferência abdominal e relação cintura quadril influenciam, de forma negativa, no desempenho físico.

Abstract Aim: Several health professionals prescribe static stretching exercises (SS) as essential for those that practice physical exercises, for injury prevention and performance improvement, although there is still no consensus. There are few studies on the effects of SS use on warming up. Thus study aimed to compare the effects of the inclusion of SS in general warming up procedures on muscle strength in Brazilian army personnel. Methods: Thirty-two young military men were selected. They were subjected to anthropometric evaluation and performed knee extension and flexion in an isokinetic digital dynamometer, at a speed of 60°/s. Then, they were divided into two randomized and counterbalanced groups, Traditional Group (TG) and Experimental Group (EG). The TG performed the lower limbs warm-up protocol provided for military physical training (MPT) and immediately after, performed the isokinetic muscle strength test. The EG performed the same protocol, performing the SS in the hamstrings and quadriceps, before warming up. Results: An increase was found in the peak isokinetic torque in the knee extension of the EG (Pre: 209.80 ± 21.36 vs Post: 243.98 ± 30.35; p = 0.001) and flexion (Pre: 130.86 ± 18.63 vs Post: 142.41 ± 25.92; p = 0.006). In the TG, significant differences were found in the extension of the knee, but not in flexion (Pre: 209.14 ± 34.27 vs. Post: 239.38 ± 36.17; p = 0.001 and Pre: 129.23 ± 18.43 vs Post: 133.66 ± 13.20; p = 0.297, respectively). Conclusion: The inclusion of SS in general warming up did not harm and even improved muscle strength performance in knee extension and flexion in Brazilian Army military personnel.

It was our objective to correlate specific performance in the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) and the maximum isometric handgrip (HGSMax), scapular traction (STSMax) and lumbar traction (LTSMax) strength tests in military judo athletes. Twenty-two military athletes from the judo team of the Brazilian Navy Almirante Alexandrino Instruction Centre, with average age of 26.14 ± 3.31 years old, and average body mass of 83.23 ± 14.14 kg participated in the study. Electronic dynamometry tests for HGSMax, STSMax and LTSMax were conducted. Then, after approximately 1 hour-interval, the SJFT protocol was applied. All variables were adjusted to the body mass of the athletes. Pearson correlation coefficient for statistical analysis was used. The results showed moderate negative correlation between the SJFT index and STSMax (r= -0.550, p= 0.008), strong negative correlations between the SJFT index and HGSMax (r= -0.706, p< 0.001), SJFT index and LTSMax (r= -0.721; p= 0.001), besides the correlation between the sum of the three maximum isometric strength tests and the SJFT index (r= -0.786, p< 0.001). This study concludes that negative correlations occur between the SJFT index and maximum isometric handgrip, shoulder and lumbar traction strength and the sum of the three maximum isometric strength tests in military judokas.