Work bout handling of a search dog reduces handgrip strength and increases firefighters' risk of falls.

OBJECTIVES: Firefighters work with dogs as support for their search activities for victims. Firefighters who handle dogs supposedly have higher acute muscle pain, more stumbling, and fatigue. This study aimed to verify the influence of a mantrailing dog on the firefighter's psychophysiological and muscular responses and the number of imbalances in a simulated activity of searching for people. METHODS: The sample consisted of 10 canine operators characterized by mass (92.57 ± 9.66 kg), height (1.78 ± 0.06 m), age (37.8 ± 2.1 yr), and length of service (9.5 ± 4.6 yr), who performed a search activity under 2 experimental conditions (dog condition and control condition). The simulated search activity consisted of a predefined hike of 2.5 km between the beginning of a search and the place where the sham victim was hidden. Cardiometabolic variables, pain level, and muscular performance were measured pre and postactivity (time factor). The number of imbalances suffered during hiking was also quantified. RESULTS: ANOVA data indicated interactions (condition × time) related to handgrip strength (P < 0.05). Handgrip strength was reduced in the postsearch activity with the dog, and it increased the control when compared to the preactivity (-12.3% versus +9.2%). Also, the level of pain and discomfort in the neck, trunk, and hip regions was higher with dogs (P < 0.05). Under the dog and control conditions, there were 25 and 05 imbalances, respectively, during the hike. There were no significant differences between the experimental conditions for vertical jump performance and cardiovascular responses either with dog or control. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight that a mantrailing dog with the firefighter increased the number of slips, trips, sudden changes in direction, and loss of body balance, accompanied by a reduction in handgrip strength, and increased acute pain in the neck, trunk, and hip. These findings may contribute to support strategies for mitigating injuries and optimizing the performance of canine operators in the fire department and other units cinotechnic.

Impact of different personal protective clothing for firefighters in mountain areas.

BACKGROUND: Mountain hiking is an unpredictable activity for firefighters during the search, rescue, and firefighting. Could the quality of the uniform worn by firefighters affect psychophysiological variables? OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to monitor the responses of perceived exertion (RPE), musculoskeletal pain (MP), and heart rate variability (HRV) responses in firefighters using different uniforms on a 5 km mountain walking activity. The feeling of comfort, safety, and ergonomic adjustment of the two types of uniforms also was verified. METHODS: Sixteen firefighters were divided into two groups: 4thRUPM"B2" (33% polyester and 67% cotton) vs. GOLD (50% polyamide and 50% cotton). The GOLD group wore a prototype that had not yet been operationally tested. RESULTS: The independent t-test showed that the groups had similar results in RPE at post-march (Omni-Walk/Run = 3.5±0.9 vs. 2.9±0.6 AU). ANOVA Two-way (2x group and 2x time) was used to verify differences in body mass (BM), MP, and HRV. There was a main effect of time (pre- vs. post-march; p < 0.05) for BM, MP, heart rate (HR), mean RR, RMSSD, pNN50, and HF, regardless of group (4thRUPM"B2" vs. GOLD). Rainwater increased post-march BM (92.2±9.8 kg vs. 93.5±9.9 kg). MP (28.9±2.9 vs. 33.2±7.7 AU), HR (71.6±14.2 vs. 99.0±26.3 bpm), RMSSD (74.8±53.7 vs. 126.5±74.4 ms) and HF (48.5±20.2 vs. 60.0±16.7 nu) also increased post-march. The mean RR (875.2±153.3 vs. 673.9±155.3 ms) and pNN50 (33.1±18.6 vs. 46.3±23.9%) reduced post-march. There was a subjective preference for GOLD. CONCLUSION: Different uniforms do not compromise psychophysiological variables during the mountain hike but differentiate ergonomic subjectivity.

Stress level and heart rate variability in police post-occurrence of bank robbery: an experience report.

Introduction: The expectation of armed confrontation is among the most stressful elements in police work. Knowledge about perceived stress and cardiovascular markers in police officers comes from simulations. However, to date, information about psychophysiological responses during high-risk occurrences is scarce. Objectives: To assess stress levels and heart rate variability in policemen before and afer atending a bank robbery. Methods: Elite police officers (30.4 ± 3.7yrs) filled in a stress questionnaire and had their heart rate variability monitored at the beginning (7:00 am) and at the end (7:00 pm) of a work shif. At about 5:30 pm, these policemen were called to respond to a bank robbery in progress. Results: No significant changes in sources or symptoms of stress were found between before and afer the incident. However, statistical reductions were found in heart rate range interval (R-R interval [-13.6%]), pNN50 (-40.0%), and low frequency (-28%) and the low frequency/high frequency ratio increased (200%). These results suggest that although no change in the level of perceived stress was found, a significant reduction in heart rate variability may be atributed to a reduction in activation of the parasympathetic system. Conclusions: The expectation of armed confrontation is among the most stressful occurrences in police work. Research knowledge about perceived stress and cardiovascular markers in police officers comes from simulations. Data on psychophysiological responses post-occurrence of high-risk scenarios are scarce. This research may help law enforcement organizations find means to monitor police officers' acute stress levels afer any high-risk occurrences.

Introdução: No trabalho policial, a expectativa do confronto armado está entre as ocorrências mais estressantes. O conhecimento sobre as alterações dos níveis de estresse e marcadores cardiovasculares são oriundas de condições simuladas. Até o momento, a descrição das reações psicofsiológicas após ocorrência de alto risco são escassas. Objetivos: Verificar o nível de estresse e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em policiais após uma ocorrência de roubo a banco. Métodos: Oito policiais de elite (30,4±3,7 anos) preencheram um questionário de estresse e tiveram sua variabilidade da frequência cardíaca monitoradas no início (7h) e no final (19h) do turno de trabalho. Entretanto, por volta das 17h30, esses policiais atenderam uma ocorrência de roubo a banco. Resultados: Não foram encontradas alterações significantes entre o início e o final do plantão para as fontes e sintomas de estresse. Entretanto, houve redução significante para o intervalo da variação de frequência cardíaca [intervalo R-R (-13.6%)], pNN50 (-40.0%), baixa frequência (-28%) e aumento para razão baixa frequência/alta frequência (+200%). Dessa forma, nossos resultados sugerem que embora nenhuma mudança no nível de estresse percebido tenha sido encontrada, uma redução importante na variabilidade da frequência cardíaca pode ser atribuída a uma redução na ativação do sistema parassimpático. Conclusões: A associação de indicadores qualitativos e quantitativos (questionário e variabilidade da frequência cardíaca) contribui para um melhor entendimento de como gerenciar e treinar as habilidades emocionais dos policiais. Esta pesquisa pode ajudar as organizações de aplicação da lei a encontrar propostas para monitorar os níveis de estresse agudo dos policiais após qualquer ocorrência de alto risco.

Changes in bone mass and body composition after bariatric surgery.

Aim: To analyze the effects of body weight loss on bone mineral density (BMD) on hip (Hip BMD) and lumbar spine (Lumbar BMD) after six months of bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for morbid obesity. Nonetheless, there are scant data on the effect of weight bearing on bone structure.Material and methods: Seventeen obese women aged 41.2 ± 11.3 yrs. who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were included. Body composition assessments were performed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry immediately before and after 6-months RYGB. Data collected pre- and post-RYGB included total body weight, body mass index (BMI), lean body mass (LM), fat mass (FM) and bone mineral content. The pre- (PRE) and post-operative (POST) results were compared.Results: Lumbar BMD POST presented a non-significant loss of 1.8% whereas Hip BMD POST showed a significant loss of 17.8%. The analysis demonstrated that BMI and LM PRE explained 26% and 49%, respectively, of Hip BMD PRE variability. In addition, LM POST explained 30% of hip BMD POST variability and was not significant for Lumbar BMD POST.Conclusions: Obesity and rapid weight loss showed direct influence in Hip BMD after six months of bariatric surgery. However, its effect on the lumbar spine area was smaller due to the higher capacity of the spine to dissipate loads through its curvature.