Physical Activity & Exercise is a Behavior
It is almost a certainty that most, if not all, fire fighters know that being physically active and/or taking regular exercise is good for them. However, data would suggest that, on average, fire fighters are just as physically inactive (and contend with the same chronic health conditions for which physical inactivity is a risk factor), as the general population. The disparity between knowledge of what behaviors/actions are beneficial to maintain good health, and actually engaging in those behaviors/actions can be quite large. Of course, this is a common experience of day-to-day life, as we all observe in ourselves the challenge of actually doing the things we say we want to do (e.g., start exercising, eat healthier, seek counselling, etc.).
By modelling physical activity and exercise as a behavior the objective is to approach choices to move, or not, (both personally and as F2T ambassadors) as occurring in, and influenced by, the larger system of factors that make up a person’s life. For example, a common reason cited for not exercising is laziness. Of course, this might be true! However, if the target action is taking more exercise, a behavioral approach would require one to also consider other factors that could be limiting the stated goal. How does an individual’s specific exercise goals match with their existing capabilities? Are stated exercise goals mis-matched with work and family obligations that will always need to come first? Is social support available from family members and/or work colleagues? As fire fighters, job-related factors certainly also have a very significant impact in shaping physical activity and exercise levels.
Practical Techniques to Build Resilient Physical Activity Habits
It is beyond the scope of this article to explore all the factors in a fire fighter’s life that could influence his/her physical activity habits. As with many behaviors (health-related or otherwise), influencing factors can be highly person-specific and change over time according to changes in life circumstances. Rather, the objective of this article is to provide you with a set of very practical, immediately applicable techniques to help make the choice to move easier. These techniques attempt to address causal factors that are most likely to be shared across all fire fighters, thereby making them universally applicable. These techniques can be a great place to start for any fire fighter who wants to start moving more, or for fire fighters who already have an established physical activity practice.
The six techniques described below have been applied to both on-duty and off-duty time. The shift-work nature of the fire service creates two very distinct periods of time each with their own unique demands, which necessitate specific treatment. For each technique we have created a specific recommendation (provided in both video and text format), however we encourage you to use your knowledge of the technique and create a version that best suits you!
On-Duty Tips
Click the video below to learn about how to apply 6 tips related to the techniques discussed above when on-duty. Although these are a great starting point, we encourage you to use your knowledge of the techniques and adapt the tips as you see fit to match your specific needs, desires and constraints when on-duty.
Off-Duty Tips
Click the video below to learn about how to apply 6 tips related to the techniques discussed above when off-duty. Although these are a great starting point, we encourage you to use your knowledge of the techniques and adapt the tips as you see fit to match your specific needs, desires and constraints when at home.
Share Resources With Your Community
Two posters, each with a QR code pointing to the on-duty, and off-duty tips playlists, can be accessed by clicking the Download button at the bottom of this page. These posters were created to be printed and posted in highly trafficked areas at your fire station, so members can take advantage of their smartphones to access the video playlists. We hope that these can serve as a small, but meaningful addition to the initiatives you have in your department to help more fire fighters, be more active, more often!
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