Metabolic Demand of Hiking in Wildland Firefighting

Sol, Joseph A.; Ruby, Brent C.; Gaskill, Steven E.; Dumke, Charles L.; Domitrovich, Joseph W.

doi:10.1016/j.wem.2018.03.006

Cited by 51 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(90 reference statements)

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“…It appears that neither fat nor fat-free masses demonstrated a statistically significant change and therefore were not included in the results (except for individual fat mass data, Figure 1 as noted above). These data suggest a general maintenance of fat and fat-free mass in response to the aggressive physiological demands of seasonal fire suppression that have been previously reported [3][4][5][6] but not eluded to in the manuscript. The authors miss the point that seasonal stability is an incredible finding.…”

Section: Measurement Techniquessupporting

confidence: 72%

“…For a partial representation of prior peer-reviewed work with WLFFs that the authors suggest requires further investigation, consider the following: sleep [7][8][9][10], training/load carriage [5,6,11], nutrition [3,[12][13][14], hydration [15,16], recovery [14], and seasonal changes in metabolic and cardiovascular health [17].…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comment on Collins, C.N.; et al. Body Composition Changes of United States Smokejumpers during the 2017 Fire Season. Fire 2018, 1, 48

Ruby

2019

Fire

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Section: Measurement Techniquessupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comment on Collins, C.N.; et al. Body Composition Changes of United States Smokejumpers during the 2017 Fire Season. Fire 2018, 1, 48

Ruby

2019

Fire

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“…Work intensity has been well characterised,9–11 but not in relation to job tasks or as an isolated exposure for HRI risk. Most research on HRIs among WLFFs has focused on exposures such as ambient temperature, acclimatisation and dehydration,10 12–14 rather than aspects of work intensity. Research that has evaluated job factors assessed overall type of attack on fire (direct, indirect or mixed), the singular job task of hiking, or the exposure of one or more full shifts 10 12–14…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eight studies of 12–131 WLFFs each had varying results of overall mean Tc and differences in Tc across levels of the exposure(s) of interest 3 10–16. The lack of consensus could be due to inconsistent environments in which previous research was conducted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two suggested strategies for WLFFs to regulate body temperature, based on the literature, are altering work–rest cycles and self-regulating work intensity 5 10 14. NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provide guidance for occupational exposure to heat; however, these general recommendations do not take into consideration the wildfire environment, tasks or shift lengths.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk for heat-related illness among wildland firefighters: job tasks and core body temperature change

et al. 2020

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ObjectivesIn order to make recommendations to protect wildland firefighters (WLFFs) from heat-related illness, the role physical exertion plays on core body temperature (Tc) in the work environment needs to be considered. We aimed to estimate the association of time-varying job tasks with differing exertion levels on change in Tc, among WLFFs engaged in fire management activities, while controlling for ambient conditions and individual characteristics. In addition, we examined whether duration of tasks modified the relationship between task and change in Tc.MethodsWe used data from The Wildland Firefighter Heat Related Illness study, a repeated measures study with individual-level data on 301 WLFFs from 2013 to 2016. Job tasks over one full shift were recorded and categorised into four levels (sedentary, light, moderate and high) based on estimated exertion levels. Tc was measured every 15 s using an ingestible sensor and personal monitors measured ambient conditions. The analysis used generalised estimating equations with an autoregressive correlation structure.ResultsWe found statistically significant associations between job tasks with increased physical demand and increases in Tc. When compared with sedentary tasks, the estimated increases in Tc for light, moderate and high activity tasks of average duration were 0.07°C (95% CI 0.02 to 0.11°C), 0.19°C (95% CI 0.15 to 0.23) and 0.44°C (95% CI 0.39 to 0.49°C), respectively. In addition, we found evidence of interaction between task type and duration.ConclusionsThis study supports the hypothesis that occupational exposure to physical exertion increases Tc, highlighting the need to update recommendations to protect WLFFs from heat-related illness.

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Physiology of the Wildland Firefighter: Managing Extreme Energy Demands in Hostile, Smoky, Mountainous Environments

Ruby

Coker

Sol

et al. 2023

Comprehensive Physiology

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Wildland firefighters (WLFFs) are inserted as the front-line defense to minimize loss of natural resources, property, and human life when fires erupt in forested regions of the world. The WLFF occupation is physically demanding as exemplified by total daily energy expenditures that can exceed 25 MJ/day (6000 calories). WLFFs must also cope with complex physical and environmental situations (i.e., heat, altitude, smoke, compromised sleep, elevated stress) which challenge thermoregulatory responses, impair recovery, and increase short-and long-term injury/health risks while presenting logistical obstacles to nutrient and fluid replenishment. The occupation also imposes emotional strain on both the firefighter and their families. The long-term implications of wildfire management and suppression on the physical and mental health of WLFFs are significant, as the frequency and intensity of wildland fire outbreaks as well as the duration of the fire season is lengthening and expected to continue to expand over the next three decades. This article details the physical demands and emerging health concerns facing WLFFs, in addition to the challenges that the U.S. Forest Service and other international agencies must address to protect the health and performance of WLFFs and their ability to endure the strain of an increasingly dangerous work environment.

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Metabolic Demand of Hiking in Wildland Firefighting

Cited by 51 publications

References 38 publications

Comment on Collins, C.N.; et al. Body Composition Changes of United States Smokejumpers during the 2017 Fire Season. Fire 2018, 1, 48

Comment on Collins, C.N.; et al. Body Composition Changes of United States Smokejumpers during the 2017 Fire Season. Fire 2018, 1, 48

Risk for heat-related illness among wildland firefighters: job tasks and core body temperature change

Physiology of the Wildland Firefighter: Managing Extreme Energy Demands in Hostile, Smoky, Mountainous Environments

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