BACKGROUND: Firefighters regularly re-enter fire scenes during long duration emergency events with limited rest between work bouts. It is unclear whether this practice is impacting on the safety of firefighters. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of multiple work bouts on firefighter physiology, strength, and cognitive performance when working in the heat. METHODS: Seventy-seven urban firefighters completed two 20-minute simulated search and rescue tasks in a heat chamber (105 ± 5°C), separated by a 10-minute passive recovery. Core and skin temperature, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation (TS), grip strength, and cognitive changes between simulations were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant increases in core temperature and perceptual responses along with declines in strength were observed following the second simulation. No differences for other measures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in thermal strain was observed when firefighters re-entered a hot working environment. We recommend that longer recovery periods or active cooling methods be employed prior to re-entry.
BACKGROUND: Firefighters regularly re-enter fire scenes during long duration emergency events with limited rest between work bouts. It is unclear whether this practice is impacting on the safety of firefighters. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of multiple work bouts on firefighter physiology, strength, and cognitive performance when working in the heat. METHODS: Seventy-seven urban firefighters completed two 20-minute simulated search and rescue tasks in a heat chamber (105 ± 5°C), separated by a 10-minute passive recovery. Core and skin temperature, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation (TS), grip strength, and cognitive changes between simulations were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant increases in core temperature and perceptual responses along with declines in strength were observed following the second simulation. No differences for other measures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in thermal strain was observed when firefighters re-entered a hot working environment. We recommend that longer recovery periods or active cooling methods be employed prior to re-entry.
Authors: Sonja S Radakovic; Jelena Maric; Maja Surbatovic; Slavica Radjen; Elka Stefanova; Nebojsa Stankovic; Nikola Filipovic Journal: Mil Med Date: 2007-02 Impact factor: 1.437
Authors: Jeremiah J Peiffer; Chris R Abbiss; Kazunori Nosaka; Jonathan M Peake; Paul B Laursen Journal: J Sci Med Sport Date: 2008-02-20 Impact factor: 4.319
Authors: Douglas J Casa; Brendon P McDermott; Elaine C Lee; Susan W Yeargin; Lawrence E Armstrong; Carl M Maresh Journal: Exerc Sport Sci Rev Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 6.230
Authors: Douglas J Casa; Shannon M Becker; Matthew S Ganio; Christopher M Brown; Susan W Yeargin; Melissa W Roti; Jason Siegler; Julie A Blowers; Neal R Glaviano; Robert A Huggins; Lawrence E Armstrong; Carl M Maresh Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2007 Jul-Sep Impact factor: 2.860
Authors: Leonidas G Ioannou; Josh Foster; Nathan B Morris; Jacob F Piil; George Havenith; Igor B Mekjavic; Glen P Kenny; Lars Nybo; Andreas D Flouris Journal: Temperature (Austin) Date: 2022-04-26
Authors: Richard M Kesler; Alex Mayer; Kenneth W Fent; I-Chen Chen; A Shawn Deaton; R Bryan Ormond; Denise L Smith; Andrea Wilkinson; Steve Kerber; Gavin P Horn Journal: Ergonomics Date: 2021-02-01 Impact factor: 2.561