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The effect of pre-warming on performance during simulated firefighting exercise.
Koen Levels1, Jos J de Koning2, Eric Mol3
1MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TNO, PO Box 23, 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands.
Applied Ergonomics
|May 13, 2014
Summary
Active pre-warming before firefighting simulation increases physiological strain and reduces performance quality. Firefighters experienced higher exertion and slower completion times in the final stages after pre-warming.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Firefighting demands high physical exertion in challenging thermal environments.
- Understanding the impact of pre-exercise thermal manipulation is crucial for optimizing firefighter performance and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of active pre-warming on physiological responses and performance during a simulated firefighting exercise.
- To assess the influence of pre-warming on perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and task completion speed and quality.
Main Methods:
- Twelve male firefighters completed two simulated firefighting trials in a counterbalanced order: one with 20-minute active pre-warming (WARM) and one thermoneutral control (CON).
- Physiological measures (gastrointestinal temperature, skin temperature, heart rate) and subjective ratings (exertion, thermal sensation, discomfort) were recorded.
- Performance metrics included overall finish time and speed of task completion, along with self-reported performance quality.
Main Results:
- Pre-warming significantly elevated gastrointestinal temperature, skin temperature, and heart rate compared to the control condition.
- Participants in the WARM condition reported higher perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and discomfort during the exercise.
- While overall finish time was similar, the final task of the firefighting simulation was completed significantly slower in the WARM condition (P=0.04).
- Self-reported performance quality was significantly lower in the WARM condition compared to the CON condition (P=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Active pre-warming increases physiological strain and subjective discomfort in firefighters during simulated activity.
- Pre-warming negatively impacts performance by reducing speed in the latter stages of the exercise and decreasing self-assessed quality of performance.
- These findings suggest that active pre-warming may not be beneficial and could be detrimental for simulated firefighting tasks.
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