Relationship Between Simulated Fire Suppression Activities and Acute Cardiac and Respiratory Events in Firefighters

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fulk M ; Hale WD ; Kollock RO ; Peveler W ; Sanders GJ ; Seidner M ; Szabo Z
• Description:
  Cardiac deaths account for the largest share of on-duty firefighter deaths. To help ensure duty fitness and minimize injury risk, many fire departments require the passing of an annual physical ability test, consisting of a battery of simulated fire suppression activities (sFSAs). The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship of sFSA performance to acute cardiac and respiratory events (ACREs) and the effect that estimated VO2max has on sFSA performance. The study was retrospective. As part of an annual physical ability test, five timed sFSAs were performed, summed for a composite time, and categorized into three performance levels (fast, moderate, and slow). Estimated VO2max was determined using the Forestry Step Test. A significant (p = 0.023) linear trend was observed with higher sFSA performance times being associated with a higher proportion of firefighters going on to suffer an ACRE. The estimated VO2max was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the fast group compared to the slow group. There was not a significant (p = 0.70) difference in estimated VO2max between the moderate and slow groups. Estimated VO2max performance and sFSA performance were significantly correlated, with rs(488) = -0.272 and p < 0.001. Poorer sFSA performance was found to be associated with a higher proportion of ACREs. The results suggest that sFSA performance may be a valid indicator of ACRE injury risk and aerobic capacity. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cardiovascular System Firefighters Mortality Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Aerobic Capacity Author Keywords: Injury Cardiac Function Casualty Fatalities Fire Fighters Kinesiology Overexertion Physical Abilities Physical Fitness Respiratory Function VO2max

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• ISSN:
  2411-5142
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; Oklahoma ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 6 ; Texas ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  9
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069830
• Citation:
  J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2024 Jun; 9(2):96
• Contact Point Address:
  Roger O. Kollock, Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitative Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104
• Email:
  roger-kollock@utulsa.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Performing Organization:
  University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1df9c2afdd79e7795df0fcbfcf1f1cb1657020f65d063077c1fea3ae4dc684c896ce58fc4f0c6aa2b3fb4841fe0a16ebd40c32d2cfa0f80dd26793b190af48ee
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208178/cdc_208178_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 240.16 KB ]