Evaluation of Air Consumption Efficiency in Structural Firefighters.

Objective: This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace, evaluates the relationship between air consumption efficiency (ACE) and work economy, identifies parameters associated with ACE, and explores the relationship between ACE and self-paced work rate.

Methods: FF completed randomized trials of an air consumption drill at a standardized pace while breathing through a self-contained breathing apparatus and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace.

Firefighter Health: A Narrative Review of Occupational Threats and Countermeasures.

Structural firefighters are responsible for protecting properties and saving lives during emergency operations. Despite efforts to prepare firefighters for these hazardous occupational demands, the unfortunate reality is that the incidence of health morbidities is increasing within the fire service. Specifically, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health disorders are among the most documented morbidities in firefighters.

The Impact of Gloves and Occupational Tasks on Handgrip Strength in Structural Firefighters.

Adequate handgrip strength (HGS) is important to safely perform fireground tasks. However, there is limited research describing the deleterious impact of glove use and fatigue from occupational tasks on HGS. Therefore, the aims of this investigation were to quantify the impact of glove use and occupational tasks on HGS, to explore the relationship between HGS versus the glove and task-induced decrement in HGS, and to evaluate the relationship between HGS and decrement in HGS versus occupational performance.

Evaluation of Work Efficiency in Structural Firefighters.

Langford, EL, Bergstrom, HC, Lanham, S, Eastman, AQ, Best, S, Ma, X, Mason, MR, and Abel, MG. Evaluation of work efficiency in structural firefighters. J Strength Cond Res 37(12): 2457-2466, 2023-To perform occupational tasks safely and effectively, firefighters (FF) must work quickly and consume air provided by the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) efficiently.

Etiology of Exercise Injuries in Firefighters: A Healthcare Practitioners' Perspective.

The purpose of this study was to query healthcare practitioners (HCPs) who treat firefighter injuries to identify risk factors and mechanisms associated with musculoskeletal injuries during exercise. A phenomenological design was utilized to understand the experiences of HCPs while treating firefighters' musculoskeletal injuries due to exercise. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 HCPs.