Heart rate response of firefighters to actual emergencies. Implications for cardiorespiratory fitness.
Heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2) responses during actual fire-suppression emergencies were monitored in 10 male firefighters. These firefighters worked at 157 +/- 8 beats per minute (bpm) for 15 +/- 7 minutes. This was 88 +/- 6% of their previously determined HR max. Based on treadmill testing, the HR x VO2 relationship was established for each firefighter. The predicted VO2 derived from HR monitoring in actual emergencies was 25.6 +/- 8.7 mL.kg-1.min-1 or 63 +/- 14% of VO2 max (40.0 +/- 6.5 mL.kg-1.min-1). These values on the cardiorespiratory response to actual emergencies are very similar to results derived from studies employing fire-suppression simulations. Recommendations for the VO2 max of firefighters ranging from 33.5 to 42.0 mL.kg-1.min-1 that have been generated from simulation testing appear appropriate given the cardiorespiratory responses to actual emergencies.
Sothmann
M S
MS
Department of Human Kinetics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53201.
Saupe
K
K
Jasenof
D
D
Blaney
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005390:Fires; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness