title: Psychophysiological relationships between a multi-component self-report measure of mood, stress and behavioural signs and symptoms, and physiological stress responses during a simulated firefighting deployment.
abstract: Physical work and sleep loss are wildland firefighting demands that elicit psychological and physiological stress responses. Research shows that these responses are statistically related which presents an opportunity to use subjective psychological questionnaires to monitor physiological changes among firefighters; an approach used extensively in sport settings. The aim of the present study was to investigate if changes in self-reported psychological factors on the multi-component training distress scale (MTDS), relate to cytokines and cortisol levels among firefighters completing three days of simulated physical firefighting work separated by an 8-h or restricted 4-h sleep each night. Each day firefighters completed the MTDS in the morning and salivary cortisol and inflammatory cytokines were measured throughout the day. When sleep restricted, firefighters demonstrated increases in MTDS factors of general fatigue, perceived stress and depressed mood that were related to elevated cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10). Conversely, firefighters who had an 8-h sleep demonstrated a positive relationship between physical signs and symptoms and elevated IL-6, while depressed mood was inversely related to decreasing cortisol and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10). Findings highlight the utility of the MTDS to detect psychological changes that reflect physiological responses among firefighters. Future research that establishes thresholds for specific factors which predict health-related physiological changes, will allow fire agencies implement multi-component measures to monitor and manage the health of personnel on the fire-ground.
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Burwood 3125, Australia; Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, East Melbourne 3002, Australia; Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Clayton 3168, Australia. Electronic address: alexander.wolkow@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolkow
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Burwood 3125, Australia; Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, East Melbourne 3002, Australia. Electronic address: brad.aisbett@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aisbett
authors.affiliation: Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, East Melbourne 3002, Australia; Central Queensland University, Appleton Institute, Wayville 5034, Australia. Electronic address: sally.ferguson@cqu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sally A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Burwood 3125, Australia. Electronic address: john.reynolds@monash.edu.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Burwood 3125, Australia. Electronic address: luana.main@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Luana C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Main
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000073397:Occupational Stress / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D057566:Self Report; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cortisol; Cytokines; Firefighters; Occupational stress; Psychophysiological