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Keywords

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Abstract

Context: Firefighting is a dangerous job with occupational hazards, strenuous shifts, and increased work- related fatigue that contributes to risk of injury. The weight of thermal protective gear (TPG) may increase neuromuscular challenges while on-duty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of TPG on volunteer firefighters’ anaerobic and lower body strength performance. Methods: Nine healthy males (mean±SD: age= 41±9.3 years; ungeared body mass= 96.47 ± 14.51kg; ungeared height=181.67 ± 4.48cm; VFF experience 8 years) participated in a cross-sectional correlation study during three visits to a university research laboratory. Participants’ TPG included thermal pants, jacket, boots, and a standardized helmet and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with respirator. Lower extremity aerobic fitness capacity was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. A forward-facing (F) and perpendicular facing (P) start positions were utilized. Lower extremity strength was assessed using a five repetition sit to stand (STS) measured with a linear displacement accelerometer. All tests were performed with and without TPG. Statistical analyses to determine performance differences between the ungeared and geared conditions were conducted using paired sample t-test for TUG and STS. Pearson’s coefficient correlations were conducted to determine relationships between geared and ungeared STS performance variables. Results: Geared TUG-P times were significantly slower than UG TUG-P and demonstrated a large effect size (p=<0.001, d= -2.07). No significant difference was identified between geared and ungeared TUG-F performance (p<0.120, d=-0.42). With STS performance, the geared condition was significant only regarding velocity and total time variables. Geared peak velocity, geared average velocity, and geared averaged peak velocity values were all significantly less than ungeared and demonstrated a large effect size (p=<0.001, d = 1.58; p=0.001, d = 1.43; p=0.001, d = 1.44, respectively). Finally, geared total time STS performance was significantly longer than ungeared and demonstrated a large effect size (p=0.004, d = -1.17). The ungeared STS strength variables exhibited positive, significant relationships with geared condition strength variables (UG-average power & G- average power, r= .325, p<.001; UG- average power & G- average peak power, r= .898, p<.001; UG-average power & G- average peak force, r= .937, p<.001; UG-average power & G- peak power, r= .856, p<.003; UG-average power & G- average peak force, r= .948, p<.001). Conclusions: Wearing TPG negatively affected anaerobic capacity and rapid strength compared to ungeared trials. Task completion times were significantly longer with gear compared to ungeared. Regarding strength, geared peak power and force correlated with ungeared average power. The additional weight from the TPG may cause the firefighter to exert more effort compared to the effort needed when ungeared. This decline in maximal and rapid strength and anaerobic capacity while geared simulates what the firefighter may encounter during fire rescue situations.

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