Comparison of firefighters and non-firefighters and the test methods used regarding the effects of personal protective equipment on individual mobility

• Published in: Applied ergonomics 2014-07, Vol.45 (4), p.1019-1027
• Main Authors: Son, Su-Young, Bakri, Ilham, Muraki, Satoshi, Tochihara, Yutaka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Comparative analysis; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Human factors; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Firefighters; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hand Strength; Heart Rate; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Mobility; Movement; Occupational psychology; Personal protective equipment; Physical Fitness; Postural Balance; Protective Clothing - adverse effects; Protective Clothing - standards; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Test methods
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2013.12.006

The aims of this study were 1) to evaluate the current pilot test method and ascertain reliable measurements for a standard test method of mobility with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as physical performance and balance ability tests; 2) to compare two participant groups (firefighters versus non-firefighters) and to investigate whether non-firefighters are appropriate as a standard participant group in the field of PPE or not. Totally, 18 participants (nine professional firefighters and nine untrained males) performed the current pilot test method consisting of a balance test, completed prior to and after a performance test. Significant differences were found between PPE conditions and CON (the control clothing ensemble: T-shirt, shorts, and running shoes) for the functional balance test, physical performance test, heart rate, and subjective evaluations in firefighters group. Therefore, the present pilot test method is valid as a standard test method for assessing mobility while wearing PPE. Moreover, the present result shows that firefighters are more reliable than non-firefighters in testing of PPE with current test methods. •We compared the mobility with PPE using pilot test methods consisting of a balance test and a physical performance test.•18 participants (nine professional firefighters and nine untrained males) performed the pilot test method.•Significant differences between PPEs and CON for the test results from firefighters were found.•The participant group with more significance for evaluation of PPE and that was physically appropriate to this test method was firefighters.