Comparison of firefighters and non-firefighters and the test methods used regarding the effects of personal protective equipment on individual mobility.
The aims of this study were 1) to evaluate the current pilot test method and ascertain reliable measurements for a standard test method of mobility with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as physical performance and balance ability tests; 2) to compare two participant groups (firefighters versus non-firefighters) and to investigate whether non-firefighters are appropriate as a standard participant group in the field of PPE or not. Totally, 18 participants (nine professional firefighters and nine untrained males) performed the current pilot test method consisting of a balance test, completed prior to and after a performance test. Significant differences were found between PPE conditions and CON (the control clothing ensemble: T-shirt, shorts, and running shoes) for the functional balance test, physical performance test, heart rate, and subjective evaluations in firefighters group. Therefore, the present pilot test method is valid as a standard test method for assessing mobility while wearing PPE. Moreover, the present result shows that firefighters are more reliable than non-firefighters in testing of PPE with current test methods.
Department of Human Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan. Electronic address: sonsu@kyudai.jp.
Su-Young
SY
Son
Department of Human Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan; Industrial Engineering Department, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia.
Ilham
I
Bakri
Department of Human Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan.
Satoshi
S
Muraki
Department of Human Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan.
Yutaka
Y
Tochihara
D000328:Adult; D061388:Firefighters; D018737:Hand Strength; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D010809:Physical Fitness; D004856:Postural Balance; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*
Mobility; Personal protective equipment; Test methods