Changes in Dynamic Balance Ability Among Firefighter Recruits: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Occupational Health
• Biomechanics

Background:

• High rates of musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) in firefighters suggest a need to understand factors like balance.
• Longitudinal changes in dynamic balance among firefighters, a specific tactical athlete group, remain undercharacterized.
• Assessing balance changes is crucial for developing injury prevention strategies in this demanding profession.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal changes in dynamic balance ability among firefighter recruits.
• To characterize how balance performance evolves during a training academy and a subsequent probationary period.
• To identify potential windows for intervention to improve firefighter readiness and reduce injury risk.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 27 male firefighter recruits was studied longitudinally.
• The modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) was administered at three time points: beginning of training (W1), end of training (W14), and end of probation (W38).
• Statistical analyses controlled for age and changes in body fat (BF) to isolate balance performance changes.

Main Results:

• Significant changes in anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL), posteromedial (PM), and composite (COMP) mSEBT reach directions were observed over time.
• While PL balance improved from W1 to W14, all mSEBT reach directions significantly decreased from W14 to W38.
• No significant changes in the frequency of right vs. left balance asymmetries (>4 cm) were found across the study period.

Conclusions:

• Firefighter recruits exhibit minimal improvements in dynamic balance during their academy training.
• A significant decline in dynamic balance ability occurs by the end of the probationary period as active-duty firefighters.
• These findings highlight a critical need for targeted balance training interventions, particularly post-academy, to mitigate MSKI risk in firefighters.