THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL TRAINING OF FIRE AND RESCUE UNIT SERVICE MEMBERS ON MILITARY-PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine the subjective opinions of fire and rescue unit service members regarding the effectiveness of the current system of physical training and possible ways to improve it in order to maintain a high level of physical development, psychological well-being, health, and efficiency in military-professional activity while performing their duties. A survey was conducted among service members who had participated in firefighting and fire consequence elimination tasks in various conditions. The study involved contract-based male service members (n = 112). Data were collected using a questionnaire method. The research showed that before participating in firefighting operations, most service members were in excellent or good physical condition (95.5%) and considered themselves completely healthy (96.4%). However, after carrying out fire and rescue tasks, 64.3% of them reported a deterioration in their health status. Furthermore, the findings confirm the insufficient effectiveness of the current physical training program for fire and rescue unit service members, particularly in terms of accelerating adaptation to new service conditions, improving health, and developing professionally important psychological qualities. When identifying the physical qualities that should be prioritized in physical training sessions to enhance the efficiency of military-professional activity under different conditions, it was found that: – during fire and rescue operations at arsenals and ammunition storage facilities, the development of general endurance, strength, special endurance, agility, flexibility, and coordination abilities is essential; – at fuel and lubricant storage facilities – general endurance, special endurance, strength, and speed; – at military airfields – strength, static endurance, agility, and speed qualities. Most rescuers (83.1%) believe that the content of physical training during direct preparation should differ depending on the conditions of their future military-professional activities.