Differences in Workloads of Maximal Tasks in Active-Duty Firefighters-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Differences in Workloads of Maximal Tasks in Active-Duty Firefighters

Published:2024-07-27 Issue:15 Volume:12 Page:1495
ISSN:2227-9032
Container-title:Healthcare
language:en
Short-container-title:Healthcare

Author:

Marciniak Rudi A.¹^ORCID,Wahl Carly A.²,Ebersole Kyle T.³^ORCID

Affiliation:

1. School of Kinesiology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA

2. Department of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920, USA

3. School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the workload of a maximal treadmill test (TREAD) and a fire suppression task (BURN) in firefighters and to examine their relationships to fitness as measured by body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (BF%), and peak aerobic capacity (VO2PEAK). The amount of time spent in the heart rate (HR) intensity ranges of 50–59% HRMAX (ZONE1), 60–69% HRMAX (ZONE2), 70–79% HRMAX (ZONE3), 80–89% HRMAX (ZONE4), and ≥90% HRMAX (ZONE5) quantified the workload as the Edward’s Training Impulse for TREAD (ETRIMPTREAD) and BURN (ETRIMPBURN). The ETRIMPTREAD was significantly less than ETRIMPBURN. For TREAD, ZONE5 > ZONE2 and ZONE3. For BURN, ZONE4 > ZONE1, ZONE2, and ZONE5 > ZONE1, ZONE2, and ZONE3. A lower BF% and greater VO2PEAK were related to a greater ETRIMPTREAD and unrelated to ETRIMPBURN. For BURN only, a lower BF% and greater VO2PEAK were related to less time in ZONE5. BMI was unrelated to all workload measures. Laboratory-based maximal exercise testing does not adequately reflect the workload of simulated fire suppression and therefore may not be indicative of firefighter readiness to meet job demands. Less-fit firefighters rely on higher cardiovascular intensities to complete the same workload, and practitioners should consider this when selecting strategies to reduce job-associated cardiovascular risk.

Funder

Lion First Responder PPE, INC.

Ball State University

Publisher

MDPI AG

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/15/1495/pdf

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