Citation

Brown MN, Char RMML, Henry SO, Tanigawa J, Yasui S. Ergonomics 2019; 62(9): 1193-1201.

Affiliation

a Exercise Science Department , Pacific University , Forest Grove , OR , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2019.1623422

PMID

31204598

Abstract

Firefighters work in unpredictable conditions, necessitating the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, the additional weight from the PPE and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) alters their centre of mass (COM), restricts movement and limits vision (face mask) contributing to a firefighters' challenge of maintaining balance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of firefighter PPE on static and dynamic balance. Participants performed two sets of three functional balance tests: (1) Static Single Leg (SSL); (2) Dynamic Single Leg (DSL); (3) Limits of Stability (LOS). The balance tests were performed under one control and three randomised PPE conditions: (1) athletic clothing; (2) turnouts; (3) turnouts + SCBA; (4) turnouts + SCBA + face mask. Our study found turnouts + SCBA both with and without the face mask negatively affected dynamic balance. These findings identify factors in fall-related injuries and strategies to reduce occupational risk. Practitioner summary: Slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of injury in firefighters. Our study investigated the effects of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) on static and dynamic balance utilising a computerised balance instrument. We found that turnouts with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with or without face mask negatively affected balance.

Language: en

Keywords

Biodex Balance System; Postural stability; falls; protective clothing; turnout gear