Use of Mobile Technology in Assessing Occupational Performance and Stress in Firefighters

Abstract

Firefighters are required to maintain all aspects of their health and wellness in order to sustain their fitness for duty. Heart rate variability (HRV) has been used as a reliable tool when assessing the stressors placed on firefighters, be it physical, emotional, or psychological. This review determined the usefulness of using HRV as a tool to determine the physical, physiological, and psychological health of firefighters at a more regular and frequent scale. HRV is a versatile technology with a plethora of uses, particularly in monitoring the cardiovascular strain as a result of firefighting and recovery post-fire suppression. In addition, the literature showed that HRV could be used to successfully monitor physical fitness, physiological stress, psychological stress, decision making, risk taking behavior and recovery in firefighters. The use of mobile technology measuring HRV may be used to successfully assess firefighter occupational performance. In future research, longitudinal studies investigating HRV use in firefighters are warranted.