A Field Exercise-Physiological Examination of Fire-fighters Trained
for Specific Tasks
Jenõ Malomsoki*, György Téglássy*,
Miklós Otos, Péter Bõhm, János Nyulasi and
Csaba Makrai
* National Institute for Sports Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
ATOMIX Kft. Paks, Hungary
Corresponding author: Prof. Jenõ Malomsoki, Ph.D
National Institute for Sports Medicine
1123. Budapest, Alkotás u. 48. Hungary
Phone: (+36) 1 156 2122
FAX: (+36) 1 175 3292
CEJOEM 1997, 3:231-241
Key words:
Fire-fighters, exercise physiology, physical fitness, protective clothing,
blood lactate, heart rate, performance, life-style, training
Abbreviations:
BMI = Body Mass Index [body mass in kg/(height in meters)2]
RR = Blood pressure (mmHg)
SCBA = positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus with face
mask
T1 = test#1 at submaximal running speed
T2 = test#2 at maximal running speed
T3 = test#3 at maximal running speed in protective clothing
Abstract:
The examination aimed at characterizing the fire-fighters’ physical
condition, within which the authors examined the fire-fighters’ build with
some anthropometric variables, risk factors, their physical performance
and data that describe physical fitness as well as the change in the physical
fitness as a result of regular physical exercise.
47 fire-fighters were examined three times and underwent
three types of exercise tests within a time frame of 15 months. After the
initial evaluation a participatory life-style intervention program was
introduced which consisted of regular physical exercise including tasks
with ‘medicine ball’, ball games and occasional running exercises. The
physical condition was monitored and after each session a verbal evaluation
and a thorough discussion was done.
The fire-fighters’ physical fitness was assessed
by a two-step running test while wearing training suits and shoes. During
the running test 30 m running bouts were performed 15 times at a comfortable
speed (T1) and at maximal possible speed (T2). In order to simulate their
special working conditions in an additional test the subjects wore their
protective clothing (i.e. helmets, heat reflecting clothing with boots
and a positive pressure self contained breathing apparatus with face mask
for complete respiratory protection (T3). The physical fitness was characterized
by the heart rate and the blood lactate level proved to have significantly
improved during the 15 months period.
A relatively high percentage of the participants
had an overweight with a BMI higher than 27 (19–28 %). As a result of regular
physical exercise the performance and the physical fitness improved in
about half of the participants as indicated by the lower heart rate and
blood lactate increase during exercise tests done after training. The exercise
in the protective clothing proved to be very strenous: exercise physiological
parameters reached and in certain cases even exceeded the estimated age-predicted
maximum values.
Their life-style also changed advantageously: the
number of daily smoked cigarettes per person decreased from 6.77 to 2.45.
Although the total cholesterol levels did not change significantly, the
HDL-cholesterol levels increased from 1.01±0.01 to 1.26±0.11
mmol/l (P<0.05).
The study has shown that the physical condition
of the fire-fighters can be improved by an adequately conducted regular
physical exercise on a participatory basis and life-style interventions.
Received: 21 May 1997
Accepted: 14 August 1997
Posted: 25 November 1998 |
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