061 - Train on Duty. But Know the Line.
For structural firefighters, every shift is a gamble between readiness and recovery. You may train, hydrate, prep your gear, then get hit with a four-alarm call 20 minutes later.
The debate has raged: should resistance training be done on duty or off?
This study tackles that head-on, asking whether on-duty lifting compromises neuromuscular performance, and if so, how long it takes to recover.
What They Found:
Researchers recruited 16 male career structural firefighters (mean age 38.2) to investigate how on-duty high-intensity resistance training affects neuromuscular function, measured by countermovement jump (CMJ) metrics.
Protocol:
Participants completed a 45-minute high-intensity resistance workout on duty (compound barbell movements, 3x5–8 reps).
Neuromuscular performance was measured pre-training, immediately post-training, and at 4, 8, and 24 hours post-training.
Key Findings:
Significant decrements in CMJ peak power and velocity immediately post-training
Partial recovery at 4 and 8 hours post-exercise
Full recovery in most markers occurred by 24 hours
Participants experienced perceptible fatigue up to 8 hours post-training
In plain terms: training on duty creates short-term performance impairments that may compromise physical capacity in the hours following a workout.
What This Means:
This study supports what many firehouse veterans already sense: lifting on duty is effective, but needs to be smart. While on-duty resistance training has value, it should be programmed with awareness of possible call demands within the next 4–8 hours. Tactically, this means timing, volume, and load selection must align with real-world readiness needs.
For coaches and department leaders, this data adds weight to recovery conversations. If you train heavy, expect a temporary dip in performance. The key isn’t to avoid training, it’s to plan it wisely.
Tactical Implications:
Use Lower Volume or Intensity If Calls Are Likely: Reduce CNS load if call volume is high or if nighttime structure fires are anticipated.
Prioritize Technique or Hypertrophy Work During Day Shifts: Less neurologically demanding than max-strength or power efforts.
If You Lift Heavy, Build in a Buffer: Schedule high-intensity work earlier in the shift to allow for 8+ hours of recovery.
Educate Teams on “Hidden Fatigue”: Subjective recovery doesn’t always align with neuromuscular readiness—track performance, not just how you feel.
Questions To Consider:
Are your on-duty workouts timed with your operational risk windows in mind?
Could your current training be silently compromising performance on high-stakes calls?
Are your crews lifting hard, then jumping into turnout gear with impaired neuromuscular output?
How are you balancing the long-term need for strength with the short-term need for reactivity and precision?
What recovery strategies are in place to close the gap between fatigue and function?
Thruston JL, Best SA, Heebner NR, Bollinger LM, Abel MG. Effect of On-Duty Resistance Training Fatigue on Neuromuscular Function in Structural Firefighters. Healthcare (Basel). 2025;13(11):1278. Published 2025 May 28. doi:10.3390/healthcare13111278