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. 2022 Jan 10;11(1):104.
doi: 10.3390/biology11010104.

Psychological, Physical, and Heat Stress Indicators Prior to and after a 15-Minute Structural Firefighting Task

Elisa F D Canetti  1   2 , Scott Gayton  1 , Ben Schram  1   2 , Rodney Pope  1   3 , Robin M Orr  1   2
Affiliations

Psychological, Physical, and Heat Stress Indicators Prior to and after a 15-Minute Structural Firefighting Task

Elisa F D Canetti et al. Biology (Basel). .

Abstract

Firefighters work in strenuous conditions for prolonged periods wearing up to 20 kg of personal protective equipment. This often contributes to significant heat and cardiovascular strain. This study examined the relationships between psychological and physical measures taken prior to undertaking a 15 min firefighting task, and the occurrence of heat stress and high levels of fatigue following the task. Nine qualified firefighters completed a 15 min "live burn" scenario designed to mimic a fire started by a two-seater couch in a lounge room and completed simulated tasks throughout the duration. Logical reasoning, speed and accuracy, general motivation and fatigue, and physical and mental effort were recorded pre-scenario, and at 0- and 20-min post-scenario. General motivation and fatigue scores at 0- and 20-min post-scenario were highly correlated with each other (rs = 0.90; p = 0.001). The general motivation and fatigue scores, at 0- and 20-min post-scenario, were also strongly related to pre-task logic/reasoning test scores (Post 0 rs = -0.77, p = 0.016; Post 20 rs = -0.87, p = 0.002). Firefighters with lower logical reasoning and speed and accuracy scores were more susceptible to fatigue and impaired cognition when exposed to rises in core temperature and heat stress.

Keywords: cognition; fatigue; firefighters; motivation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The relationship between age and withdrawal due to heat stress post-simulated firefighter activity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The relationship between pre-fire speed and accuracy and withdrawal due to heat stress post-simulated firefighter activity.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The relationship between withdrawal due to heat stress and change in tympanic temperature post-simulated firefighter activity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The relationship between withdrawal due to heat stress and logical reasoning pre-simulated firefighter activity.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The relationship between withdrawal due to heat stress and clean body weight pre-simulated firefighter activity.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The relationship between withdrawal due to heat stress and load as a percentage of body weight pre-simulated firefighter activity.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The relationship between fatigue scores immediately and 20 min post-simulated firefighter activity. Full markers (●) indicate participants who completed the task, and empty markers (O) indicate the ones that withdrew.
Figure 8
Figure 8
The relationship between logical reasoning score prior to simulated firefighter activity and fatigue scores immediately post-simulated firefighter activity. Full markers (●) indicate participants who completed the task, and empty markers (O) indicate the ones that withdrew.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The relationship between logical reasoning score prior to simulated firefighter activity and fatigue scores 20 min post-simulated firefighter activity. Full markers (●) indicate participants who completed the task, and empty markers (O) indicate the ones that withdrew.
Figure 10
Figure 10
The relationship between change in tympanic temperature post-simulated firefighter activity and fatigue scores immediately post-simulated firefighter activity. Full markers (●) indicate participants who completed the task, and empty markers (O) indicate the ones that withdrew.
Figure 11
Figure 11
The relationship between change in tympanic temperature post-simulated firefighter activity and fatigue scores 20-min post-simulated firefighter activity. Full markers (●) indicate participants who completed the task, and empty markers (O) indicate the ones that withdrew.
Figure 12
Figure 12
The relationship between pre-task speed and accuracy scores and fatigue scores immediately post-simulated firefighter activity. Full markers (●) indicate participants who completed the task, and empty markers (O) indicate the ones that withdrew.
Figure 13
Figure 13
The relationship between pre-fire speed and accuracy scores and fatigue scores 20 min post-simulated firefighter activity. Full markers (●) indicate participants who completed the task, and empty markers (O) indicate the ones that withdrew.
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References

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