title: The effect of pre-warming on performance during simulated firefighting exercise.
abstract: This study examined the effect of active pre-warming on speed and quality of performance during simulated firefighting exercise. Twelve male firefighters performed two trials in counterbalanced order. They were either pre-warmed by 20-min cycling at 1.5 Watt kg(-)(1) body mass (WARM) or remained thermoneutral (CON) prior to a simulated firefighting activity. After the pre-warming, gastrointestinal temperature (P < 0.001), skin temperature (P = 0.002), and heart rate (P < 0.001) were higher in WARM than in CON. During the firefighting activity, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation and discomfort were higher for WARM than for CON. Finish time of the firefighting activity was similar, but the last task of the activity was completed slower in WARM than in CON (P = 0.04). In WARM, self-reported performance quality was lower than in CON (P = 0.04). It is concluded that pre-warming reduces the speed during the last part of simulated firefighting activity and reduces self-reported quality of performance.
authors.affiliation: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TNO, PO Box 23, 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands. Electronic address: K.Levels@vu.nl.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Levels
authors.affiliation: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 124 Mitchell Hall, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
authors.forename: Jos J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: de Koning
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport and Exercise Studies, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Professor Molkenboerstaat 3, 6524 RN Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.affiliation: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 124 Mitchell Hall, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TNO, PO Box 23, 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hein A M
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Daanen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D061388:Firefighters; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: Heat stress; Live-fire drill; Pacing