Virtual Reality Based Active Shooter Training Drill Increases Salivary and Subjective Markers of Stress.

Law enforcement personnel are required to respond to a variety of dangerous, potentially life-threatening high stress scenarios. Virtual reality (VR)-based training has been shown to attenuate stress responses; however, little is known about the acute stress response from VR exposure. This study examined the impact of participating in a VR-based active shooter training drill (ASD) on markers of physiological stress as well as potential differences in men and women.

Predictors of Work Efficiency in Structural Firefighters.

Objective: Develop a novel work efficiency (WE) metric to quantify firefighter physical ability and identify correlates of WE.

Methods: Physical fitness and anthropometric measurements were taken on 19 male firefighters. Firefighters performed a timed maximal effort simulated fireground test (SFGT).

Time Restricted Feeding Reduces Inflammation and Cortisol Response to a Firegrounds Test in Professional Firefighters.

Objective: Firefighters are at a heightened risk for developing cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine if time restricted feeding (TRF) can improve the stress/inflammatory response to a simulated firegrounds test (FGT) in professional firefighters.

Methods: Thirteen firefighters participated in an 8-week TRF intervention (14:10 [fasting:feeding]) protocol and completed a FGT before and after the intervention.

Impact of Time Restricted Feeding on Fitness Variables in Professional Resistance Trained Firefighters.

Unlabelled: Firefighters are at an elevated risk for cardiometabolic disease and sudden cardiac death due to physiological and psychological stressors. Research suggests time restricted feeding (TRF) may improve health and performance variables.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of a 7-week TRF (14-hour fasting:10-hour eating window) on fitness variables related to physical health and performance among professional, resistance-trained firefighters.

Impact of Time Restricted Feeding on Markers of Cardiometabolic Health and Oxidative Stress in Resistance-Trained Firefighters.

McAllister, MJ, Gonzalez, AE, and Waldman, HS. Impact of time restricted feeding on markers of cardiometabolic health and oxidative stress in resistance-trained firefighters. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2515-2522, 2022-Firefighters are often exposed to numerous occupational stressors that cause inflammation, oxidative stress (OS), and elevated risk for developing cardiometabolic disease.

Acute coffee ingestion with and without medium-chain triglycerides decreases blood oxidative stress markers and increases ketone levels.

Ingestion of ketone supplements, caffeine, and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) may all be effective strategies to increase blood levels of the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (D-BHB). However, acute ingestion of a bolus of lipids may increase oxidative stress (OS). The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of adding varying amounts of MCTs to coffee on blood levels of D-BHB and markers of OS.