title: Measuring the effects of structural turnout suits on firefighter range of motion and comfort.
abstract: Range of motion (ROM) can be restricted by wearing stiff and bulky clothing. This is particularly true of firefighter suits that are constructed using fabric layers to provide thermal protection from fire. This study developed an evaluation technique to quantify the loss of mobility associated with wearing firefighters' protective suits that were deliberately selected to represent similar ergonomic design features. The ROM of 10 firefighters was measured using electro-goniometers attached to their bodies while they wore uniforms and a reference outfit, and performed specific movements. The most restrictive uniform is the Bulky suit that contained additional layers of materials in sleeves and on the knees. The Traditional Suit was more ROM restrictive than Ergonomic. The subjective evaluation of suits supported the objective assessments provided by the electro-goniometers. A 3-D body scanning technique was employed to establish a correlation between the bulkiness of firefighter outfits and subject ROM. Practitioner Summary: This study presents a methodology for measurements of range of motion (ROM) in firefighters wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Even small differences in designs of PPE may impact firefighters' ROM, which can be detected by electro-goniometers providing measurements if they are attached along the joint to measure limb angular movement.
authors: a College of Textiles, Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC) , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC , USA.|b Department of Textiles , Ghent University , Zwijnaarde , Belgium.
authors: Izabela
authors: I
authors: Ciesielska-Wróbel
authors: a College of Textiles, Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC) , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC , USA.
authors: Emiel
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6959-1510
authors: E
authors: DenHartog
authors: a College of Textiles, Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC) , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC , USA.
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Barker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000009:adverse effects; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D061388:Firefighters; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009657:North Carolina; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D000067393:Personal Protective Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Range of motion; clothing design and testing; firefighters; goniometer; personal protective equipment