Changes In Functional Balance Among Firefighters Following Live Fire Training

Determine if the time to complete a test of functional balance or the number of errors committed during the test changes after fire suppression and if these variables are related to maximal oxygen consumption or body composition. 31 firefighters (90% male) had maximal oxygen consumption and body fat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2012-05, Vol.44 (5S), p.335-335
Main Authors: Colburn, Deanna, McEntire, Serina J, Suyama, Joe, Reis, Steven E, Pryor, Riana R, Khorana, Priya, Erin, Jennifer, Guyette, Francis X, Hostler, David
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Determine if the time to complete a test of functional balance or the number of errors committed during the test changes after fire suppression and if these variables are related to maximal oxygen consumption or body composition. 31 firefighters (90% male) had maximal oxygen consumption and body fat (18.4+ or -5.3% male, 17.5+ or -4.4% female) measured prior to participating in a 20-minute live fire exercise at a county fire academy. Subjects completed a test of functional balance at a baseline assessment in shorts and athletic shoes and immediately before and after fire suppression while wearing thermal protective clothing and breathing apparatus. Body core temperature following fire suppression was 38.5+ or -0.5[degrees]C and heart rate after exiting the fire was 152+ or -28 bpm. Time to complete the task did not differ between baseline in normal clothing (12.3+ or -4.4 sec), compared to pre- (12.1+ or -4.0), and post- (12.2+ or -3.9) fire in protective clothing (p=0.84).
ISSN:0195-9131