Original scientific paper
Indicators of health status of firefighters during the implementation of flashover simulator
Anita Ljubičić
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada; Jedinica za medicinu rada i okoliša, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Branko Petrinec
orcid.org/0000-0001-9272-3828
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada; Jedinica za medicinu rada i okoliša, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Veda M. Varnai
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada; Jedinica za medicinu rada i okoliša, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jelena Macan
orcid.org/0000-0001-6269-5475
; medicine rada i sporta Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada; Jedinica za medicinu rada i okoliša, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
This article presents an overview of the investigation performed on the professional and volunteer firefighters attending Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) in a simulator in controlled conditions. Blood pressure (BP), tympanic temperature, parameters of lung function, DNA damage, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded for study participants before and during the CFBT. High prevalence of obesity (27%) and basal hypertensive BP values (53%) was found. CFBT induced mild hyperthermia and physical strain. In comparison to professional firefighters, CFBT induced higher increase in pulse and tympanic temperature in volunteers. Systolic BP did not vary significantly, diastolic BP slightly decreased, and parameters of lung function slightly increased in both groups during the CFBT. Results confirm that CFBT induced only expected physiological cardiovascular and respiratory responses, and can be considered as a safe procedure for healthy firefighters using obligatory protective equipment. High prevalence of obesity and elevated BP values indicates a need for better physical fitness and BP control among firefighters in Croatia.
Keywords
health status of firefighters; training; flaming attack
Hrčak ID:
125615
URI
Publication date:
23.7.2014.
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