Impact of Firefighting Equipment on Aerobic Performance in the Forestry Step Test in New Firefighter Cadets: A Pilot Study Original Research
Main Article Content
Keywords
athletic attire, predicted VO2max, recovery heart rate
Abstract
Introduction: Firefighting is a physically demanding occupation, which involves tasks such as rescuing victims, pulling a hose, and carrying a ladder. Thus, firefighters must have excellent cardiovascular fitness (CF). However, the cumbersome movement and added mass of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) can place additional stress on the cardiovascular system, not accounted for through traditional CF testing.
Purpose: Determine the effect of wearing PPE on predicted CF compared to athletic attire (AT) in firefighter (FF) cadets completing the Forestry Step Test (FST).
Methods: Male and female (N = 17) FFs performed two trials of the FST, one trial completed in PPE and one in AT. Recovery heart rate was measured at the end of each trial and predicted VO2max was calculated. Paired samples t-tests compared heart rate and predicted VO2max values between the PPE and AT conditions.
Results: Predicted VO2max (p < 0.001) was lower in the PPE (37.53 + 3.20 ml.kg.min-1) compared to the AT condition (46.35 + 7.63 ml.kg.min-1).
Conclusion: Predicted aerobic capacity is lower when wearing PPE compared to AT using the FST as the aerobic capacity assessment method. The effect of PPE on CF effort of firefighting should be considered when developing assessments.
References
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27. Cziva, O. & Kanyó, F. (2008). Different international methods for testing the ability of firefighters. HADMÉRNÖK, III (3). pp. 4-11, ISSN 1788-1919.
28. Hale, D., Kollock, R., Thomas, J., Sanders, G., Peveler, W., Mangan, A., & Landon, B. A. (2022). Submaximal Field Test of Aerobic Capacity does not Accurately Reflect VO2max in Career Firefighters. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(4), 221-230. http://www.intjexersci.com
29. Derella, C.C., Aichele, K.R., Oakman, J.E., Cromwell, C.M., Hill, J.A., Chavis, L.N., Perez, A.N., Getty, A.K., Wisdo, T.R., & Feairheller, D.L. (2017). Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Responses to Gear Weight Under Controlled Workload. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 59(4), e20-e23. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/48510446
30. Feairheller, D.L. (2015). Blood pressure and heart rate responses in volunteer firefighters while wearing personal protective equipment. Blood Pressure Monitoring, 20(4), 194-198. DOI: 10.1097/MBP.0000000000000120
31. Peate, W. F., Lundergan, L., & Johnson, J. (2002). Fitness Self-Perception and VO2max in Firefighters. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 44(6), 546-550. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44996151
32. Stein, J. A., Gasier, H. G., Goodman, B. D., Ramirez, M. R., Delatorre, B. P., Beattie, C. M., Barstow, T. J., & Heinrich, K. M. (2021). Effects of Caffeine on Exercise Duration, Critical Velocity, and Ratings of Perceived Exertion During Repeated-Sprint Exercise in Physically Active Men. International Journal of Exercise Science, 14(2), 435-445, http://www.intjexersci.com
33. Sharkey, B.J., Jukkala, A., Putman, T., & Tietz, J. (1978). Fitness and Work Capacity: Wildland Firefighting. Missoula, MT.
34. Becker, L. (2015) Effect size calculator. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Available from: https://www.uccs.edu/lbecker/
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37. McLellan, T.M. & Havenith, G. (2016). Protective clothing ensembles and physical employment standards. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 41(6), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0474
38. Phillips, D.B., Ethnes, C.M., Welch, B.G., Lee, L.N., Simin, I., & Petersen, S.R. (2018). Influence of work clothing on the physiological responses and performance during treadmill exercise and the Wildland Firefighter Pack Test. Applied Ergonomics, 68, 313-318.
39. Lee, J.-Y., Kim, S., Jang, Y.J., Baek, Y.-J. & Park, J. (2014). Component contribution of personal protective equipment to the alleviation of physiological strain in firefighters during work and recovery. Ergonomics, 57, 1068-1077.
2. Ras, J., Smith, D. L., Soteriades, E. S., Kengne, A. P., & Leach, L. (2023). Association between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Firefighters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(11), 5930. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115930
3. Smith, D. L., Haller, J. M., Korre, M., Sampani, K., Porto, L. G. G., Fehling, P. C., Christophi, C. A., & Kales, S. N. (2019). The Relation of Emergency Duties to Cardiac Death Among US Firefighters. American Journal of Cardiology, 123(5), 736-741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2018.11.049
4. Engel, R. (2020). What are the firefighter ranks? FireRescue1. https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-careers/articles/what-are-the-firefighter-ranks-hvwaU0z1FF6xkIE8/
5. Johnson, Q. R., Goatcher, J. D., Diehl, C., Lockie, R. G., Orr, R. M., Alvar, B., Smith, D. B., Dawes, J. J. (2020). Heart rate responses during simulated fire ground scenarios among full-time firefighters. International Journal of Exercise Science, 13, 374–382.
6. Boorady, L. M., Barker, J., Lee, Y., Lin, S., Cho, E., & Ashdown, S. P. (2013). Exploration of Firefighter Turnout Gear Part 1: Identifying Male Firefighter User Needs. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 8(1), 1-13.
7. Fyock-Martin, M. B., Erickson, E. K., Hautz, A. H., Sell, K. M., Turnbaugh, B. L., Caswell, S. V., & Martin, J. R. (2020). What do firefighting ability tests tell us about firefighter physical fitness? A systematic review of the current evidence. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(7), 2093–2103. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003577
8. Hammer, R. L., & Heath, E. M. (2013). Comparison of aerobic capacity in annually certified and uncertified volunteer firefighters. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 27(5). 1435–1440, https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e318265aaf7
9. Schmidt, C., & Mckune, A. (2012). Association between physical fitness and job performance in fire-fighters. Ergonomics SA, 24(2), 44-57. https://elib.uah.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/association-between-physical-fitness-job/docview/1326249209/se-2?accountid=14476
10. Lane, C. L., Hardwick, D., Janus, T. P., Chen, H., Lu, Y., Mayer, J. M. (2019). Comparison of the firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test to weight lifting exercises using electromyography. Work, 62, 459–467.
11. Lockie, R. G., Orr, R. M., Montes, F., Ruvalcaba, T. J., & Dawes, J. J. (2022). Differences in Fitness between Firefighter Trainee Academy Classes and Normative Percentile Rankings. Sustainability, 14(11), 6548. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116548
12. Rhea, M. R., Alvar, B. A., & Gray, R. (2004). Physical fitness and job performance of firefighters. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(2), 348-352. DOI: 10.1519/r-12812.1. PMID: 15142006.
13. Sheaff, A. K., Bennett, A., Hanson, E. D., Kim, Y. S., Hsu, J., Shim, J. K., Edwards, S. T., Hurley, B. F. (2010). Physiological determinants of the Candidate Physical Ability Test in Firefighters. Journal of Strength Conditioning Research, 24(11), 3112–3122. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181f0a8d5
14. Skinner, T. L., Kelly, V. G., Boytar, A. N., Peeters, G., Rynne, S. B. (2020). Aviation Rescue Firefighters physical fitness and predictors of task performance. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(12), 1228–1233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.05.013
15. Williams-Bell, F. M., Villar, R., Sharratt, M. T., Hughson, R. L. (2009). Physiological demands of the firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 41(3), 653–662. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31818ad117
16. Desmond, M. (2006). Becoming a firefighter. Ethnography, 7(4), 387–421. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466138106073142
17. Harrison, K., & Olofsson, J. (2016). Becoming-a-firefighter – on the intra-active relationship between firefighters and their tools. NORMA, 11(3), 158–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/18902138.2016.1217693
18. Storer, T. W., Dolezal, B. A., Abrazado, M. L., Smith, D. L., Batalin, M. A., Tseng, C., & Cooper, C. B. Firefighter health and fitness assessment: A call to action. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(3), 661-671. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31829b54da.
19. Adams, J., Roberts, J., Simms, K., Cheng, D., Hartman, J., & Bartlett, C. (2009). Measurement of functional capacity requirements to aid in development of an occupation-specific rehabilitation training program to help firefighters with cardiac disease safely return to work. American Journal of Cardiology, 103, 762-765.
20. Dolezal, B. A., Barr, D., Boland, D. M., Smith, D. L., & Cooper, C. B. (2015). Validation of the firefighter WFI treadmill protocol for predicting VO2 max. Occupational Medicine, 65, 143-146. DOI:10.1093/occmed/kqu189.
21. National Fire Protection Association 1500. (2018). Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program, 2018th ed.; National Fire Protection Association: Quincy, MA, USA.
22. National Fire Protection Association 1583. (2015). Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs for Fire Department Members, 2015th ed.; National Fire Protection Association: Quincy, MA, USA.
23. Martin, J., Toczko, M., & Locki, R. G. (2023). Individual responses to the implementation of mandatory fitness testing within a fire department. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 80(8), 455-461. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2023-108828.
24. Wynn, P. & Hawdon, P. (2012). Cardiorespiratory fitness selection standard and occupational outcomes in trainee firefighters. Occupational Medicine, 62(2), 123-128. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqr206
25. Kollock, R., Thomas, J., Hale, D., Sanders, G., Long, A., Dawes, J., & Peveler, W. (2021). The Effects of Firefighter Equipment and Gear on the Static and Dynamic Postural Stability of Fire Cadets. Gait & Posture, 88, 292-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.05.034
26. Wójcik, M. & Siatkowski, I. (2023). The effect of cranial techniques on the heart rate variability response to psychological stress test in firefighter cadets. Scientific Reports, 13(7780). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34093-z
27. Cziva, O. & Kanyó, F. (2008). Different international methods for testing the ability of firefighters. HADMÉRNÖK, III (3). pp. 4-11, ISSN 1788-1919.
28. Hale, D., Kollock, R., Thomas, J., Sanders, G., Peveler, W., Mangan, A., & Landon, B. A. (2022). Submaximal Field Test of Aerobic Capacity does not Accurately Reflect VO2max in Career Firefighters. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(4), 221-230. http://www.intjexersci.com
29. Derella, C.C., Aichele, K.R., Oakman, J.E., Cromwell, C.M., Hill, J.A., Chavis, L.N., Perez, A.N., Getty, A.K., Wisdo, T.R., & Feairheller, D.L. (2017). Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Responses to Gear Weight Under Controlled Workload. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 59(4), e20-e23. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/48510446
30. Feairheller, D.L. (2015). Blood pressure and heart rate responses in volunteer firefighters while wearing personal protective equipment. Blood Pressure Monitoring, 20(4), 194-198. DOI: 10.1097/MBP.0000000000000120
31. Peate, W. F., Lundergan, L., & Johnson, J. (2002). Fitness Self-Perception and VO2max in Firefighters. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 44(6), 546-550. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44996151
32. Stein, J. A., Gasier, H. G., Goodman, B. D., Ramirez, M. R., Delatorre, B. P., Beattie, C. M., Barstow, T. J., & Heinrich, K. M. (2021). Effects of Caffeine on Exercise Duration, Critical Velocity, and Ratings of Perceived Exertion During Repeated-Sprint Exercise in Physically Active Men. International Journal of Exercise Science, 14(2), 435-445, http://www.intjexersci.com
33. Sharkey, B.J., Jukkala, A., Putman, T., & Tietz, J. (1978). Fitness and Work Capacity: Wildland Firefighting. Missoula, MT.
34. Becker, L. (2015) Effect size calculator. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Available from: https://www.uccs.edu/lbecker/
35. Hopkins, WG. (2018). A Scale of Magnitudes for Effect Statistics. Available from: http://www. sportsci. org/resource/stats/effectmag. html
36. Carballo-Leyenda B., Gutiérrez-Arroyo, J., García-Heras, F., Sánchez-Collado, P., Villa-Vicente, J., & Rodríguez-Marroyo, J. A. (2021). Influence of Personal Protective Equipment on Wildland Firefighters’ Physiological Response and Performance during the Pack Test. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5050. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105050
37. McLellan, T.M. & Havenith, G. (2016). Protective clothing ensembles and physical employment standards. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 41(6), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0474
38. Phillips, D.B., Ethnes, C.M., Welch, B.G., Lee, L.N., Simin, I., & Petersen, S.R. (2018). Influence of work clothing on the physiological responses and performance during treadmill exercise and the Wildland Firefighter Pack Test. Applied Ergonomics, 68, 313-318.
39. Lee, J.-Y., Kim, S., Jang, Y.J., Baek, Y.-J. & Park, J. (2014). Component contribution of personal protective equipment to the alleviation of physiological strain in firefighters during work and recovery. Ergonomics, 57, 1068-1077.
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Apr 11, 2024
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Impact of Firefighting Equipment on Aerobic Performance in the Forestry Step Test in New Firefighter Cadets: A Pilot Study: Original Research. (2024). Research in Health and Medicine, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.53520/rdhs2024.104110
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