001 - Nonlinear Periodization: A Potential Key to Firefighter Readiness After Injury
(1) Returning to Full Duty Takes More Than Basic Rehab
Standard 'rehab' gets you pain-free but doesn’t prepare you for firefighting demands.
Nonlinear periodization was used in this study because random workouts don’t cut it—progressive strength, power, and endurance development is critical.Firefighter Performance Is Built on Strength & Anaerobic Power
(2) Key improvements from the 8-week program:
IPAT (job-specific ability test): Time cut by 90+ seconds for both participants.
Push-ups: Gains of +13 & +12 reps—critical for hose handling, ladder climbing, and victim drags.
300-yard shuttle (anaerobic power): Both participants cut time by 9-11 seconds.
The Gerkin Protocol (aerobic test) didn’t show significant improvements—proving that strength and anaerobic conditioning were the driving factors for job readiness.
(3) Nonlinear Periodization Keeps You Ready for the Unpredictable
Unlike traditional linear programming, nonlinear periodization adapts intensity and volume weekly.
This means firefighters trained across different demands, just like they experience in real-world scenarios—short bursts, heavy loads, and high variability.
This model builds durability and function—not just general fitness.
Thick Necks, Strong Bodies, No Weak Links
A weak firefighter is a liability. A strong one is an asset.
Training like a bodybuilder or a marathon runner won’t cut it—firefighters need a hybrid of strength, power, and endurance that actually transfers to the job.
Train for the demands you face—not the ones that fit neatly in a rehab textbook
Strength, power, and anaerobic endurance = tactical durability
The right program isn’t just about fitness—it’s about survival
Stay Thick.
Kolber MJ, Hanney WJ, Burleigh C, Ramirez J, Bennett J. Application of a nonlinear periodization program among firefighters returning to full duty from an injury: A case series. Physiother Theory Pract. 2024;40(2):418-429. doi:10.1080/09593985.2022.2117580