Physiological demands and physical performance determinants of a new firefighting simulation test.
Ergonomics
; 66(12): 2012-2024, 2023 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36745493
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to examine physiological responses of firefighters performing a firefighting simulation test (FST) and to determine the relationship between physical fitness parameters and FST performance. Aerobic fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capabilities were evaluated in 37 firefighters (21-profesionals and 16-volunteers firefighters). Furthermore, participants carried out the FST during which we measured performance, respiratory gas exchange, heart rate (HR), perceived exertion and blood lactate concentrations. Males were significantly faster than females for all tasks of the FST (p < 0.01); however, final performance score (16.5 ± 2.9 and 14.5 ± 2.6 points for males and females, respectively), HR (94.0 ± 2.0% and 93.7 ± 2.3% of HRmax) and perceived exertion (8.1 ± 0.9 and 7.1 ± 1.3) were not significantly different. Prediction of FST performance by LASSO regression revealed a model that included mainly aerobic capacity and maximal strength. In conclusion, FST challenged both aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolisms for both males and females and requires various physiological abilities to perform. Practitioner Summary:
For the safety of firefighters and victims, firefighters must meet minimum physical requirements. 37 firefighters performed physical tests and a new firefighting test implemented for the recruitment of firefighters in France. The results revealed that this test is strenuous and that performance is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength. Abbreviations VÌO2 oxygen consumption; VÌCO2 carbon dioxyde production; VÌE expired ventilation; RER respiratory exchange ratio; FST firefighting simulation test; MAS maximal aerobic speed; HR heart rate; RPE rating of perceived exertion; MVC maximum voluntary contraction; IMTP isometric mid-thigh pull; TTE time to exhaustion; Ppeak peak power; Pmean mean power; LASSO least absolute shrinkage and selection operator; La- blood lactate concentration.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Bomberos
/
Prueba de Esfuerzo
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ergonomics
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia