The relationship between firefighters’ physical performance characteristics and simulated firefighting demands

Schmit, McKayla; DeBeliso, Mark

doi:10.31459/turkjkin.560623

Cited by 14 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Therefore, firefighters with greater upper body strength and endurance generally perform better on these tasks increased fat mass and lower lean mass were significantly related to poor occupational performance [ 63 , 77 ]. Poor performance in firefighters with unhealthy body composition may be related to the increased muscular workload, as a result of the increased adiposity and lower proportion of lean body mass [ 6 , 7 , 26 , 63 , 76 , 77 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All aspects of the firefighters' health should be thoroughly monitored throughout the firefighters' career to ensure career longevity and decrease the incidence of duty related-deaths and early retirement. As previously discussed, larger and heavier firefighters, who are often obese, tended to perform better on strength-based tasks, such as the door breach, equipment carry, and victim drags, but performed worse on the cardiorespiratory fitness tests, such as the stair climb and ladder raise tests, due to their excess body weight that acted as a hindrance in these tasks [ 6 , 26 , 74 , 76 ]. While overweight and obese firefighters may pass the simulation protocols, they remain at increased risk for early retirement, morbidity, and mortality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ese types of strenuous working conditions cause high levels of chronic cardiovascular and physical strain, predisposing firefighters to cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal injury, morbidity and in extreme cases, mortality [1,4,5]. Firefighters are, therefore, required to be in optimal physical conditioning to overcome many of these work-related challenges to their health [6][7][8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal health are significantly related to and affect the occupational performance of firefighters [9,[23][24][25][26][27]. Maintenance of physical fitness is an essential preventative tool not only in maintaining cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health but also in maintaining satisfactory occupational performance in firefighters [6,28,29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Fitness, and Occupational Performance in Firefighters: A Narrative Review

Ras

Smith

Kengne

et al. 2022

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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Introduction. Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that requires firefighters to be in peak physical condition. However, many firefighters have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, impaired musculoskeletal health, and are not physically fit for duty, which all negatively impact their occupational performance. Therefore, the aim of this review is to determine the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance in firefighters. Methods. The electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched online via the library portal of the University of the Western Cape. Publications and grey literature between the years 2000 to present were used. In total, 2607 articles were identified; after the removal of duplicates 1188 articles were then screened, and were excluded for not meeting initial screening criteria. The remaining 209 full-text articles were screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, where 163 articles were excluded. Only studies that were quantitative were included. This left 46 articles that were then finally included in the current narrative review. Results. The current literature indicated that significant relationships existed between cardiovascular risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance. The results indicated firefighters who were aged, obese, physically inactive, cigarette smokers, and unfit were at the highest risk for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health complications, and unsatisfactory occupational performance. Musculoskeletal health complications significantly affected occupational performance and work ability and were related to physical fitness of firefighters. Most cardiovascular risk factors were related to physical fitness, and all physical fitness parameters were related to occupational performance in firefighters. Conclusion. The overwhelming evidence in the current review established that physical fitness is related to occupational performance. However, the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and musculoskeletal health in relation to occupational performance is less clear and still understudied. Significant gaps remain in the literature.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Fitness, and Occupational Performance in Firefighters: A Narrative Review

Ras

Smith

Kengne

et al. 2022

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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“…Firefighters performing fire suppression routinely exceed their maximum heart rates for prolonged periods of time, placing tremendous stress on their cardiovascular system. Coupled with the additional stressors, such as worsening cardiovascular health metrics, most frequently: physical inactivity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity, and poor health-related physical fitness, specifically cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular endurance, may lead to significant morbidity and mortality 5 37–39. Lower physical fitness levels cause increased risk for musculoskeletal injuries in firefighters 35 40–42.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2022

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IntroductionFirefighting is a hazardous occupation, where firefighters are involved in life-threatening situations, being placed under tremendous physical strain, while wearing heavy and insulated equipment to protect them from chemicals, fumes and high temperatures. This necessitates that firefighter stay in good physical condition and maintain adequate cardiovascular fitness to cope with these stressors and perform their duties with minimal health risks. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the effect of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on the occupational performance of firefighters.Methods and analysisAll study types and designs will be included and appraised. The following electronic databases will be searched: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCOHost and CINAHL, with no restrictions on publication date. The literature search will be conducted comprehensively to enable the capturing of as many relevant articles as possible but will be limited to English-language papers only. A combination of the appropriate terms (search string) will be used to ensure the inclusion of the relevant components of the participants, exposure, comparison and outcome. A researcher-generated form with the key characteristics of each study will be used to retrieve all relevant details from the selected studies for initial eligibility screening. The Rayyan Intelligent Systematic Review tool will be used to screen and select studies for inclusion, and information from the included studies will be captured on the researcher-generated data extraction form. The The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS) checklist and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme toolkit will be used to conduct the methodological assessment of each study. Data will be analysed using Review Manager V.5.3. Generated results will be presented using a combination of figures, graphs and tables. The synthesis of quantitative data (using a meta-analysis methodology) will involve the integration of quantitative findings from multiple studies to achieve coherence.Ethics and disseminationThis study obtained ethical clearance from the University of the Western Cape Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BM21/10/9). We will disseminate the findings of in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences. The protocol will form part of a chapter for a doctoral thesis.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021258898.

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Development of a scale for recruitment of forest fire workers using confirmatory factor analysis

Şafak

2024

Int. J. Wildland Fire

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Background Wildfire severity is increasing yearly owing to climate change, and fires pose serious threats to forest fire workers (FFWs). Effective management of their recruitment process is vital to mitigate risks, ensuring ongoing firefighting efficacy. Aims This study aimed to develop criteria to be used in the recruitment process of FFWs engaged in fighting forest fires in Turkey and to assess the validity and reliability of these. Methods A survey consisting of 5 questions and 30 items was designed to establish a recruitment scale for FFWs. A total of 682 personnel serving in ground teams participated in the survey. The recruitment scale was developed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Keyresults The FFWs recruitment scale that has been developed comprises 23 criteria. These criteria are collected into five factors, which are suitability for work, physical and mental condition, education, working conditions and self-management. Conclusions The EFA model explains 67.18% of the total variance. Goodness-of-fit indices collectively indicate that the CFA model fits the observed data very well. A multidimensional, reliable and valid recruitment scale has been designed. Implications The recruitment scale for FFWs can also be used in the preparation of national occupational standards and qualification criteria.

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The relationship between firefighters’ physical performance characteristics and simulated firefighting demands

Cited by 14 publications

References 39 publications

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Fitness, and Occupational Performance in Firefighters: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Fitness, and Occupational Performance in Firefighters: A Narrative Review

Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Development of a scale for recruitment of forest fire workers using confirmatory factor analysis

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