Impact of different personal protective clothing for firefighters in mountain areas

• Published in: Work (Reading, Mass.) Mass.), 2023-01, Vol.75 (3), p.1041-1050
• Main Authors: Paulo, Anderson Caetano, Caldeira Júnior, Cleonir, Grani, Gabriel, Farah, Leonardo, Jesus da Cruz, Abimael, Xavier de Souza Araújo, Weslley, de Lourdes Nahhas Rodacki, Cintia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body mass; Cotton; Ergonomics; Fire fighting; Firefighters; Gold; Heart rate; Heart Rate - physiology; Hiking; Humans; Mountainous areas; Mountains; Polyamide resins; Polyamides; Protective Clothing; Rain water; Variance analysis; Walking
• ISSN: 1051-9815; 1875-9270
• DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220201

BACKGROUND: Mountain hiking is an unpredictable activity for firefighters during the search, rescue, and firefighting. Could the quality of the uniform worn by firefighters affect psychophysiological variables? OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to monitor the responses of perceived exertion (RPE), musculoskeletal pain (MP), and heart rate variability (HRV) responses in firefighters using different uniforms on a 5 km mountain walking activity. The feeling of comfort, safety, and ergonomic adjustment of the two types of uniforms also was verified. METHODS: Sixteen firefighters were divided into two groups: 4thRUPM”B2” (33% polyester and 67% cotton) vs. GOLD (50% polyamide and 50% cotton). The GOLD group wore a prototype that had not yet been operationally tested. RESULTS: The independent t-test showed that the groups had similar results in RPE at post-march (Omni-Walk/Run = 3.5±0.9 vs. 2.9±0.6 AU). ANOVA Two-way (2x group and 2x time) was used to verify differences in body mass (BM), MP, and HRV. There was a main effect of time (pre- vs. post-march; p