Citation

Kesler RM, Ensari I, Klarenc RE, Motl RW, Hsiao-Wecksler ET, Rosengren KS, Fernhall B, Smith DL, Horn GP. Ergonomics 2018; 61(3): 390-403.

Affiliation

University of Illinois , Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering , Urbana-Champaign, IL , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2017.1360519

PMID

28762892

Abstract

Firefighters'self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) protect the respiratory system during firefightingbut increases the physiological burden. Extended duration SCBA (>30min) have increased air supply, increasing the duration of firefighting work cycles. To examine the effects of SCBAconfigurationand work cycle (length and rest), 30firefighterscompleted seven trials using different SCBAand one or two bouts of simulated firefighting following work cycles common in the United States. Heart rate, core temperature, oxygen consumption, work output, and self-reported perceptions were recorded during all activities. Varying SCBA resulted in few differences in these parameters.However, during a second bout, work output significantly declined while heart rates and core temperatures were elevated relative to a single bout. 37% of the subjects were unable to complete the second bout in at least one of the two-bout conditions. These firefighters had lower fitness and higher body mass than thosewho completed all assigned tasks. Practitioner Summary The effects of extended duration SCBA and work/rest cycleson physiological parameters and work output have not been examined. Cylinder sizehad minimal effects, but extended work cycles with no restresulted in increasedphysiological strain and decreased work output. This effect was more pronounced in firefighters with lower fitness.

Language: en

Keywords

Firefighting; core temperature; heart rate; work cycle, self-contained breathing apparatus