title: Firefighter exercise protocols conducted in an environmental chamber: developing a laboratory-based simulated firefighting protocol.
abstract: A standard exercise protocol that allows comparisons across various ergonomic studies would be of great value for researchers investigating the physical and physiological strains of firefighting and possible interventions for reducing the demands. We compared the pattern of cardiorespiratory changes from 21 firefighters during simulated firefighting activities using a newly developed firefighting activity station (FAS) and treadmill walking both performed within an identical laboratory setting. Data on cardiorespiratory parameters and core temperature were collected continuously using a portable metabolic unit and a wireless ingestible temperature probe. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated distinct patterns of change in cardiorespiratory parameters and heart rate between conditions. The pattern consisted of alternating periods of peaks and nadirs in the FAS that were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to live fire activities, whereas the same parameters increased logarithmically in the treadmill condition. Core temperature increased in a similarly for both conditions, although more rapidly in the FAS. Practitioner Summary: The firefighting activity station (FAS) yields a pattern of cardiorespiratory responses qualitatively and quantitatively similar to live fire activities, significantly different than treadmill walking. The FAS can be performed in a laboratory/clinic, providing a potentially standardised protocol for testing interventions to improve health and safety and conducting return to duty decisions.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology and Community Health , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana-Champaign , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Ipek
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ensari
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology and Community Health , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana-Champaign , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Motl
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology and Community Health , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana-Champaign , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Klaren
authors.affiliation: b Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition , University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fernhall
authors.affiliation: c Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Denise L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: c Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Gavin P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Horn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Firefighting; core temperature; heart rate; oxygen consumption calorimetry; test protocol