Physiological responses to simulated stair climbing in professional firefighters wearing rubber and leather boots.
No studies have considered whether a firefighter's boots are a factor influencing physiological responses. The purpose of this study was to examine physiological responses to a fire simulation activity (stair climb) in professional firefighters wearing rubber boots (RB) and leather boots (LB). Twelve professional firefighters participated in two counterbalanced simulated firefighter stair climb (SFSC) sessions, one wearing RB and the other wearing LB. Heart rate, oxygen uptake (VO(2)), expiratory ventilation (V(E)), blood lactate (BLa), salivary cortisol (SCORT), and leg strength were assessed prior to and following a SFSC. LB elicited significantly greater SCORT values and knee flexion time to peak torque. Furthermore, RB revealed significantly greater ankle dorsiflexion peak torque after SFSC. BLa was positively related to knee flexion peak torque after SFSC in the RB. Firefighters when wearing the RB may be more effective at resisting fatigue and increase more force production.
Huang
Chun-Jung
CJ
Department of Health and Human Performance, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA. huangcj@vcu.edu
Garten
Ryan S
RS
Wade
Chip
C
Webb
Heather E
HE
Acevedo
Edmund O
EO
D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005390:Fires; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011481:Protective Clothing; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012408:Rubber; D012775:Shoes; D013784:Textiles; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D012408:Rubber; D006854:Hydrocortisone