Effect of strenuous live-fire fire fighting drills on hematological, blood chemistry and psychological measures

Smith, Denise L.; Petruzzello, Steven J.; Chludzinski, M. A.; Reed, J. J.; Woods, Jeffrey A.

doi:10.1016/s0306-4565(01)00047-x

Cited by 33 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…From the literature pertaining to sports performance such a low level of dehydration is unlikely to affect either thermoregulation or performance (Cheuvront and Haymes 2001;Yoshida et al 2002). However studies on firefighters working in the heat have shown a 15% reduction in plasma volume after only three 7-min bouts of firefighting tasks (Smith et al 2001b). Dehydration will augment the effect of hyperthermia on the cardiovascular system resulting in a greater reduction in stroke volume and therefore cardiac output (Gonzalez-Alonso et al 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can firefighter instructors perform a simulated rescue after a live fire training exercise?

Eglin

Tipton

2005

Eur J Appl Physiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two studies were undertaken to determine whether firefighter instructors are capable of performing a simulated rescue task after undertaking a live fire training exercise (LFTE) lasting approximately 40 min. In the first study, ten instructors performed two simulated rescue tasks in air at 19 degrees C, involving dragging an 81-kg dummy for 15 m along a corridor and down two flights of stairs. The first rescue acted as a control (Rcontrol) and was conducted when they were euhydrated and normothermic. The second task was undertaken 10.4 (3.3) min [mean (SD)] after a LFTE resulting in an average rectal temperature of 38.1 (0.4) degrees C (Rhot). All instructors were able to successfully complete Rcontrol and Rhot in 90.1 (28.6) s and 78.7 (15.6) s respectively. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were higher after the LFTE [162 (16) beats min(-1) versus 180 (15) beats min(-1); and 13.3 (2.4) versus 15.7 (2.1), respectively, P<0.001]. In the second study, six instructors (one instructor participated twice giving seven trials) undertook a simulated rescue task in 16 degrees C involving dragging an 85-kg dummy along a flat surface 79 (65) s after a LFTE that increased rectal temperature to 38.3 (0.7) degrees C. On six occasions the instructor was able to successfully complete the full 30-m drag in 41.7 (6.9) s and one instructor dragged the dummy for 20 m before stopping through exhaustion. HR during the rescue task reached 173 (19) beats min(-1) and RPE was 16.3 (2.4). In conclusion, most of the instructors were able to perform a rescue task after the LFTE, however they were close to their physical limit.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can firefighter instructors perform a simulated rescue after a live fire training exercise?

Eglin

Tipton

2005

Eur J Appl Physiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The number of participants in each study (Table 2) ranged from 11 to 49 persons, consisting of males only [8, 18, 28] or predominantly males with one to four females [1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 12]. One study [15] did not specify the gender of participants.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Osmolality of urine (>700 mOsm/kg = dehydration), plasma (>290 mOsm/L = dehydrated) and saliva (>200 mOsm/kg = dehydrated), each determined through freezing point depression analysis, were used in 2 studies [6, 15], 3 studies [2, 12, 18] and 1 study [6], respectively. Holsworth et al [7] and Smith et al [8] used haematocrit as a marker of hydration through blood samples and Cuddy et al [1] and Ruby et al [15] calculated water turnover by examining differences between the isotopic enrichment of an oral dose of tracer water given pre-exposure and the isotopic enrichment observed to remain in post-exposure voided urine.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The intervention used by Smith et al [8] involved 5 standardised trials completed 3 times, each trial of an unspecified duration. Horn et al [6] and Eglin et al [28] allowed and encouraged ad libitum drinking during structural firefighting, while the remaining studies did not [7–9].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, this work can involve both low intensity exercise of long duration and periods of high intensity exercise of unpredictable duration [3–5]. Perhaps of most distinction, firefighting tasks are often performed in environmental extremes, such as high heat and dense smoke, while wearing impermeable, heavy and restrictive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) [2, 6–8]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The impact of fire suppression tasks on firefighter hydration: a critical review with consideration of the utility of reported hydration measures

Walker¹,

Pope²,

Orr³

2016

Ann of Occup and Environ Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundFirefighting is a highly stressful occupation with unique physical challenges, apparel and environments that increase the potential for dehydration. Dehydration leaves the firefighter at risk of harm to their health, safety and performance. The purpose of this review was to critically analyse the current literature investigating the impact of fighting ‘live’ fires on firefighter hydration.MethodsA systematic search was performed of four electronic databases for relevant published studies investigating the impact of live fire suppression on firefighter hydration. Study eligibility was assessed using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The included studies were critically appraised using the Downs and Black protocol and graded according to the Kennelly grading system.ResultsTen studies met the eligibility criteria for this review. The average score for methodological quality was 55 %, ranging from 50 % (‘fair’ quality) to 61 % (‘good’ quality) with a ‘substantial agreement’ between raters (k = .772). Wildfire suppression was considered in five studies and structural fire suppression in five studies. Results varied across the studies, reflecting variations in outcome measures, hydration protocols and interventions. Three studies reported significant indicators of dehydration resulting from structural fire suppression, while two studies found mixed results, with some measures indicating dehydration and other measures an unchanged hydration status. Three studies found non-significant changes in hydration resulting from wildfire firefighting and two studies found significant improvements in markers of hydration. Ad libitum fluid intake was a common factor across the studies finding no, or less severe, dehydration.ConclusionsThe evidence confirms that structural and wildfire firefighting can cause dehydration. Ad libitum drinking may be sufficient to maintain hydration in many wildfire environments but possibly not during intense, longer duration, hot structural fire operations. Future high quality research better quantifying the effects of these influences on the degree of dehydration is required to inform policies and procedures that ensure firefighter health and safety.

show abstract

Overexertion and heat stress in the fire service: a new conceptual framework

Wohlgemuth

Sekiguchi

Mota

2023

American J Industrial Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

From the year 2000, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has been recording all line‐of‐duty deaths in the fire service. Stress or overexertion caused 1096 out of 2598 total line‐of‐duty deaths in the United States from 2000 to 2021. Those deaths due to stress or overexertion were further classified as myocardial infarction (90%), cerebrovascular accident (6.8%), other (2.6%), and heat exhaustion (0.6%). Environmental heat exposure is a concern in firefighting, as firefighters work in extreme conditions, such as high ambient temperatures, while wearing protective clothing. Heat stress is not only hazardous to the cardiovascular system, but may accentuate muscle fatigue and overexertion. In addition, overexertion itself is related to increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, usually to the lower extremities. Further, there is a strong physiological mechanistic link to suggest that the increased occupational heat exposure and thermoregulatory strain firefighters experience may be a stressor that increases the risk of injuries. This commentary hopes to show the need for further research on the effects of occupational exposures and physiological strain in the fire service.

show abstract

Effect of strenuous live-fire fire fighting drills on hematological, blood chemistry and psychological measures

Cited by 33 publications

References 11 publications

Can firefighter instructors perform a simulated rescue after a live fire training exercise?

Can firefighter instructors perform a simulated rescue after a live fire training exercise?

The impact of fire suppression tasks on firefighter hydration: a critical review with consideration of the utility of reported hydration measures

Overexertion and heat stress in the fire service: a new conceptual framework

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About