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Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
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Spine pain in the firefighter profession
Żanna Fiodorenko-Dumas1, Agnieszka Kurkowska1, Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz1
1Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland (Department of Physiotherapy)
Medycyna Pracy
|August 31, 2018
Summary
Firefighters report high physical activity, yet a small percentage lack knowledge of ergonomic lifting. Despite physical demands, disability levels among firefighters are minor, with no significant correlation between pain and service length or age.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Firefighter Health
Background:
- Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly spinal issues, are a significant social problem causing work absence.
- Firefighting involves unique physical strains, adverse conditions, and stress from rescue operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess musculoskeletal disorder prevalence and related factors in firefighters.
- To evaluate the impact of physical activity and working conditions on firefighter disability.
Main Methods:
- A study group of 61 firefighters was surveyed.
- Instruments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
- Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze variable dependencies.
Main Results:
- 84% of firefighters knew ergonomic lifting principles; 16% did not.
- No significant correlation was found between pain and length of service (r=0.281).
- ODI results showed no significant statistical change with age.
Conclusions:
- Firefighters exhibit a high level of physical activity as confirmed by IPAQ.
- Despite the small study group, ODI indicated a minor degree of disability.
- Further research may be needed to explore ergonomic knowledge gaps and their impact.
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