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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01.02.2012 | Original Article

Physiological work demands of Spanish wildland firefighters during wildfire suppression

verfasst von: Jose A. Rodríguez-Marroyo, Jorge López-Satue, Raul Pernía, Belén Carballo, Juan García-López, Carl Foster, José G. Villa

Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Ausgabe 2/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze the physiological demands and thermal strain of wildland firefighters during real wildfire suppression.

Methods

The response of core temperature and heart rate (HR) were analyzed in 200 wildland firefighters during wildfire suppression activities of different duration: <1 h (n = 52), 1–3 h (n = 70), 3–5 h (n = 44), and >5 h (n = 34). The exercise workload (TRIMP), the physiological strain index (PSI), and cumulative heat strain index (CHSI) were calculated using the time spent in different intensity zones, the HR, and core temperature.

Results

Mean HR was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in wildfires <1 h (133 ± 2 bpm) and 1–3 h (128 ± 1 bpm) versus 3–5 h (120 ± 3 bpm) and >5 h (116 ± 32 bpm). The time spent in higher intensity zones increased (P < 0.05) when wildfire duration increased. TRIMP accumulation increased with wildfire duration (54.9 ± 3.2, 167.4 ± 5.9, 296.0 ± 8.3, 511.7 ± 12.8 in <1, 1–3, 3–5, and >5 h, respectively). Neither core temperature (37.4 ± 0.1°C) nor PSI (4.5 ± 0.2) were influenced by wildfire duration. The CHSI increased (p < 0.05) in the following order: <1 h (104 ± 23), 1–3 h (1,396 ± 275), 3–5 h (4,586 ± 387), and >5 h (10,703 ± 710).

Conclusions

The results demonstrate the high work strain sustained by Spanish wildland firefighters during wildfire suppression. Both workload and CHSI increased with the wildfires duration although the pace of work was faster in wildfires of a shorter duration.

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Titel: Physiological work demands of Spanish wildland firefighters during wildfire suppression
verfasst von: Jose A. Rodríguez-Marroyo
Jorge López-Satue
Raul Pernía
Belén Carballo
Juan García-López
Carl Foster
José G. Villa
Publikationsdatum: 01.02.2012
Verlag: Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Ausgabe 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-011-0661-4

Springer Medizin

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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